Toxoplasma gondii proteins, nucleic acid molecules, and uses thereof

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to immunogenic  Toxoplasma gondii  proteins, to  T. gondii  nucleic acid molecules, including those that encode such proteins and to antibodies raised against such proteins. The present invention also includes methods to obtain such proteins, nucleic acid molecules and antibodies. Also included in the present invention are compositions comprising such proteins, nucleic acid molecules and/or antibodies, as well as the use of such compositions to inhibit oocyst shedding by cats due to infection with  T. gondii . The present invention also includes the use of certain  T. gondii -based antisera to identify such nucleic acid molecules and proteins, as well as nucleic acid molecules and proteins identified by such methods. The present invention also relates to novel methods for the detection of cysts and oocysts.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of application U.S. Ser. No. 09/216,393, filed Dec. 18, 1998 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,514,694, entitled “METHODS FOR THE DETECTION OF ENCYSTED PARASITES”, which is Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Ser. No. 08/994,825, filed Dec. 19, 1997, now abandoned, entitled “TOXOPLASMA GONDII PROTEINS, NUCLEIC ACID MOLECULES, AND USES THEREOF”.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to Toxoplasma gondii nucleic acid molecules, proteins encoded by such nucleic acid molecules, antibodies raised against such proteins and methods to identify such nucleic acid molecules, proteins or antibodies. The present invention also includes compositions comprising such nucleic acid molecules, proteins and antibodies, as well as their use for inhibiting oocyst shedding by cats infected with T. gondii and for protecting animals from diseases caused by T. gondii.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various attempts to develop a vaccine to both the asexual systemic stage and the sexual entero-epithelial stage of the Toxoplasma life cycle have been reported over the last thirty years (Hermentin, K. and Aspock, H. (1988), Zbl. Bakt. Hyg. A, 269:423–436). These attempts can be grouped into the following categories: 1) immunization with whole killed organism, 2) immunization with selected antigens, either purified native or recombinant protein, 3) immunization with attenuated strains, and 4) immunization with irradiated organisms. Little success has been achieved with immunizations using whole killed organism (Frenkel, J. K. and Smith, D. D. (1982), Journal of Parasitology, 68:744–748). Partial success has been observed with the pure native protein P30 (Bulow, R., and Boothroyd, J. C. (1991), J. Immunol. 147:3496) and with selected fractions of parasite lysates (Lunden, A. Lovgren, K. Uggla, A., and Araujo, F. G.; (1993) Infection and Immunity, 61: 2639–2643). However, attempts with purified recombinant antigens have not been successful (Lunden, A., Parmley, S. F., Bengtsson, K. L. and Araujo, F. G. (1997) Parasitology Research, 83:6–9). Studies with irradiated organisms have reported 0–90% protection and are complicated by the uncertainty of truly inactivated irradiated preparations. Effective vaccines have been produced using attenuated strains. Two such mutant strains, ts-4 (Waldeland, H., Pfefferkorn, E. R., and Frenkel, J. K. (1983), Journal of Parasitology, 69:171–175) and S48 (Hartley, W. J. and Marshall, S. C. (1957), New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 5:119–124), successfully protect animals against the asexual systemic disease. These strains are delivered in the tachyzoite form and do not protect cats from oocyst shedding. Another strain, T-263 (Frenkel, J. K.; Pfefferkorn, E. R.; Smith, D. D.; and Fishback, J. L. (1991), American Journal of Veterinary Research, 52:759–763) is an oocyst minus strain, but was shown to progress through most of the entero-epithelial stages in the cat intestine. Exposure to this strain induces immunity in the cat to oocyst shedding upon subsequent challenge. There remains a need for an effective vaccine for prevention of the diseases caused by infection with Toxoplasma gondii.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to novel compositions and methods to inhibit Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) oocyst shedding by cats, thereby preventing the spread of T. gondii infection. According to the present invention there are provided isolated immunogenic T. gondii proteins and mimetopes thereof; T. gondii nucleic acid molecules, including those that encode such proteins; recombinant molecules including such nucleic acid molecules; recombinant viruses including such nucleic acid molecules; recombinant cells including such nucleic acid molecules; and antibodies that selectively bind to such immunogenic T. gondii proteins.

The present invention also includes methods to obtain and/or identify proteins, nucleic acid molecules, recombinant molecules, recombinant viruses, recombinant cells, and antibodies of the present invention. Also included are compositions comprising such proteins, nucleic acid molecules, recombinant molecules, recombinant viruses, recombinant cells, and antibodies, as well as use of such compositions to inhibit T. gondii oocyst shedding by cats infected with T. gondii, or for preventing T. gondii infection in an animal.

The present invention further includes the use of the nucleic acid molecules or proteins of the present invention as diagnostic reagents for the detection of T. gondii infection. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention includes a novel detection method and kit for detecting T. gondii oocysts in the feces of T. gondii infected cats.

One embodiment of the present invention is an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding an immunogenic T. gondii protein that can be identified by a method that includes the steps of: a) immunoscreening a T. gondii genomic expression library or cDNA expression library with an antiserum, including an antiserum derived from intestinal secretions; and b) identifying a nucleic acid molecule in the library that expresses a protein that selectively binds to an antibody in the antiserum. Antisera to be used for screening include antiserum raised against T. gondii oocysts, antiserum raised against T. gondii bradyzoites, antiserum raised against T. gondii infected cat gut, and antiserum isolated from a cat immune to T. gondii infection. Another embodiment is an isolated immunogenic T. gondii protein that can be identified by a method that includes the steps of: a) immunoscreening a T. gondii genomic expression library or cDNA expression library with such an antiserum; and b) identifying a protein expressed by the library that selectively binds to antibodies in the antiserum. Also included are methods to identify and isolate such nucleic acid molecules and proteins.

The present application also includes an isolated nucleic acid molecule that hybridizes under stringent hybridization conditions with a gene that includes a nucleic acid sequence cited in Table 1. Also included in the present invention is an isolated nucleic acid molecule that hybridizes under stringent hybridization conditions with a gene that includes a nucleic acid molecule cited in Table 1. Preferred nucleic acid molecules encode immunogenic T. gondii proteins. More preferred nucleic acid molecules are those cited in Table 1.

The present invention also relates to recombinant molecules, recombinant viruses and recombinant cells that include an isolated nucleic acid molecule of the present invention. Also included are methods to produce such nucleic acid molecules, recombinant molecules, recombinant viruses and recombinant cells.

Another embodiment of the present invention is an isolated immunogenic protein encoded by a nucleic acid molecule that hybridizes under stringent hybridization conditions with a gene (i.e., with either the coding strand or the non-coding strand) comprising a nucleic acid sequence cited in Table 1 and/or a nucleic acid molecule cited in Table 1. Note that the nucleic acid molecule hybridizes with the non-coding strand of the gene, that is, with the complement of the coding strand of the gene. A preferred protein is an immunogenic T. gondii protein. More preferred proteins are those encoded by nucleic acid molecules cited in Table 1. Also preferred are the proteins cited in Table 1.

The present invention also relates to: mimetopes of immunogenic T. gondii proteins and isolated antibodies that selectively bind to immunogenic T. gondii proteins or mimetopes thereof. Also included are methods, including recombinant methods, to produce proteins, mimetopes and antibodies of the present invention.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention is a composition to inhibit T. gondii oocyst shedding in a cat due to infection with T. gondii. Such a composition includes one or more of the following protective compounds: an isolated immunogenic T. gondii protein encoded by a nucleic acid molecule that hybridizes under stringent hybridization conditions with a gene comprising a nucleic acid sequence cited in Table 1, and specifically with the non-coding-strand of that gene; an isolated antibody that selectively binds to said immunogenic T. gondii protein; and an isolated nucleic acid molecule that hybridizes under stringent hybridization conditions with a gene comprising a nucleic acid sequence cited in Table 1. Such a composition can also include an excipient, adjuvant or carrier. Preferred compositions comprising a nucleic acid molecule of the present invention include genetic vaccines, recombinant virus vaccines and recombinant cell vaccines. Also included in the present invention is a method to protect an animal, including a human, from disease caused by T. gondii, comprising the step of administering to the animal a composition of the present invention. Preferred animals to treat are cats in order to prevent oocyst shedding caused by T. gondii infection.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides for isolated immunogenic T. gondii proteins, isolated T. gondii nucleic acid molecules including those encoding such T. gondii proteins, recombinant molecules comprising such nucleic acid molecules, recombinant viruses comprising such nucleic acid molecules, cells transformed with such nucleic acid molecules (i.e., recombinant cells), and antibodies that selectively bind to immunogenic T. gondii proteins. As used herein, the terms isolated immunogenic T. gondii protein and isolated nucleic acid molecule refer to an immunogenic T. gondii protein and a T. gondii nucleic acid molecule, respectively, derived from T. gondii which can be obtained from its natural source or can be produced using, for example, recombinant nucleic acid technology or chemical synthesis. Also included in the present invention is the use of these proteins, nucleic acid molecules, and antibodies as compositions to protect animals from diseases caused by T. gondii and to inhibit T. gondii oocyst shedding in cats. As used herein, a cat refers to any member of the cat family (i.e., Felidae), including domestic cats, wild cats and zoo cats. Examples of cats include, but are not limited to, domestic cats, lions, tigers, leopards, panthers, cougars, bobcats, lynx, jaguars, cheetahs, and servals. A preferred cat to protect is a domestic cat. Further included in the present invention is the use of these proteins, nucleic acid molecules and antibodies for the detection of T. gondii infection in an animal or as targets for the development of chemotherapeutic agents against parasitic infection.

Immunogenic T. gondii protein and nucleic acid molecules of the present invention have utility because they represent novel targets for anti-parasite vaccines or chemotherapeutic agents. Compositions of the present invention can also be used as reagents for the diagnosis of T. gondii infection in cats and other animals, including humans. The products and processes of the present invention are advantageous because they enable the inhibition of T. gondii oocyst shedding in cats, the definitive hosts for T. gondii (i.e., the animals in which T. gondii reproduction takes place). It is to be noted that the proteins and nucleic acid molecules of the present invention have uses beyond eliciting an immune response despite denoting proteins of the present invention as immunogenic proteins.

As described in more detail in the Examples, it was very difficult to isolate a nucleic acid molecule encoding an immunogenic T. gondii protein selectively bound by antisera directed against T. gondii intestinal stages. Such stages are preferred because they represent the sexual cycle of T. gondii, the preferred target for development of a composition to inhibit oocyst shedding. Unfortunately, however, the T. gondii sexual cycle cannot currently be reproduced in culture, and, there is not a simple method by which to produce a cDNA (i.e., complementary DNA) library containing only T. gondii nucleic acid molecules of various stages of the sexual cycle. For example, the infected cat gut is the source of many of the sexual stages of T. gondii, and, as such, material to be used in identifying T. gondii immunogenic proteins are contaminated with cat material. The present invention describes the development of new techniques to isolate and identify nucleic acid molecules encoding immunogenic T. gondii proteins. These techniques include (a) the isolation and enrichment of antisera against a variety of T. gondii life stages, several of which are only present in infected cats, at least predominantly in infected cat guts, and (b) the use of such antisera to screen cDNA and genomic expression libraries to identify nucleic acid molecules that express T. gondii proteins that selectively bind to such antisera.

One embodiment of the present invention is an isolated protein that includes an immunogenic T. gondii protein. It is to be noted that the terms “one or more” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein. It is also to be noted that the terms “comprising”, “including”, and “having” can be used interchangeably. According to the present invention, an isolated, or biologically pure, protein is a protein that has been removed from its natural milieu. The terms “isolated” and “biologically pure” do not necessarily reflect the extent to which the protein has been purified. An isolated protein of the present invention can be obtained from its natural source, can be produced using recombinant DNA technology, or can be produced by chemical synthesis.

An isolated protein of the present invention, including a homolog, can be identified in a straight-forward manner by the protein's ability to elicit an immune response against a naturally occurring T. gondii protein. Examples of T. gondii immunogenic proteins include proteins in which amino acids have been deleted (e.g., a truncated version of the protein, such as a peptide), inserted, inverted, substituted and/or derivatized (e.g., by glycosylation, phosphorylation, acetylation, myristoylation, prenylation, palmitoylation, amidation and/or addition of glycerophosphatidyl inositol) such that the homolog includes at least one epitope capable of eliciting an immune response against a T. gondii immunogenic protein, and/or of binding to an antibody directed against a T. gondii immunogenic protein. That is, when the homolog is administered to an animal as an immunogen, using techniques known to those skilled in the art, the animal will produce an immune response against at least one epitope of a T. gondii immunogenic protein. The ability of a protein to effect an immune response can be measured using techniques known to those skilled in the art. As used herein, the term “epitope” refers to the smallest portion of a protein or other antigen capable of selectively binding to the antigen binding site of an antibody or a T-cell receptor. It is well accepted by those skilled in the art that the minimal size of a protein epitope is about four to six amino acids. As is appreciated by those skilled in the art, an epitope can include amino acids that naturally are contiguous to each other as well as amino acids that, due to the tertiary structure of the natural protein, are in sufficiently close proximity to form an epitope. According to the present invention, an epitope includes a portion of a protein comprising at least about 4 amino acids, at least about 5 amino acids, at least about 6 amino acids, at least about 10 amino acids, at least about 15 amino acids, at least about 20 amino acids, at least about 25 amino acids, at least about 30 amino acids, at least about 35 amino acids, at least about 40 amino acids, at least about 50 amino acids, at least about 100 amino acids, at least about 150 amino acids, at least about 200 amino acids, at least about 250 amino acids, or at least about 300 amino acids.

Immunogenic T. gondii protein homologs can be the result of natural allelic variation or natural mutation. Immunogenic T. gondii protein homologs of the present invention can also be produced using techniques known in the art including, but not limited to, direct modifications to the protein or modifications to the gene encoding the protein using, for example, classic or recombinant DNA techniques to effect random or targeted mutagenesis.

As used herein, a nucleic acid molecule encoding an immunogenic T. gondii protein includes nucleic acid sequences related to a natural T. gondii gene. As used herein, a T. gondii gene includes all regions of the genome related to the gene, such as regulatory regions that control production of the immunogenic T. gondii protein encoded by the gene (for example, transcription, translation or post-translation control regions) as well as the coding region itself, and any introns or non-translated coding regions. As used herein, a gene that “includes” or “comprises” a sequence may include that sequence in one contiguous array, or may include the sequence as fragmented exons. As used herein, the term “coding region” refers to a continuous linear array of nucleotides that translates into a protein. A full-length coding region is that coding region that is translated into a full-length protein, i.e., a complete protein as would be initially translated in its natural milieu, prior to any post-translational modifications.

In one embodiment, a T. gondii gene of the present invention includes at least one of the nucleic acid molecules cited in Table 1 (i.e., the cited nucleic acid molecules). The coding strands of the cited nucleic acid molecules are represented, respectively, by the nucleic acid sequences (i.e., the cited nucleic acid sequences) shown in Table 1. Also presented in Table 1 are the deduced amino acid sequences encoded by each of the cited nucleic acid molecules (i.e., the cited amino acid sequences) and the protein name designations (i.e., the cited proteins).

TABLE 1 Nucleic Amino Original SEQ ID NO TYPE Acid Molecules Acid Molecules Designation 1 DNA nTG1₃₅₇ Tg-41 2 Protein PTG1₁₁₉ PTG-41 3 DNA nTG2₃₃₉ Tg-45 4 Protein PTG2₁₀₈ PTG-45 5 DNA nTG4₅₂₆ Tg-50 6 Protein PTG4₁₇₅ PTG-50 7 cDNA nTG4₁₄₇₈ Tg-50c 8 Protein PTG4₃₈₁ PTG-50c 9 DNA nTG5₆₅₇ Q2-4 10 Protein PTG5₂₁₉ PQ2-4 11 cDNA nTG5₁₀₂₉ Q2-4c 12 Protein PTG5₂₇₃ PQ2-4c 13 DNA nTG6₄₂₅ Q2-9 14 Protein PTG6₁₄₂ PQ2-9 15 DNA nTG7₄₁₇ Q2-10 16 Protein PTG7₁₃₉ PQ2-10 17 DNA nTG8₅₀₇ Q2-11 18 Protein PTG8₅₁ PQ2-11 19 DNA nTG9₇₁₈ 4499-9 20 Protein PTG9₉₉ P4499-9 21 DNA nTG10₄₄₁ 4604-2 22 Protein PTG10₁₄₇ P4604-2 23 DNA nTG11₄₂₈ 4604-3 24 Protein PTG11₁₃₄ P4604-3 25 DNA nTG13₂₈₂ 4604-5 26 DNA nTG15₃₀₄ 4604-10 27 Protein PTG15₁₀₁ P4604-10 28 DNA nTG16₂₈₄ 4604-17 29 Protein PTG16₉₅ P4604-17 30 DNA nTG17₆₉₀ 4604-54 31 Protein PTG17₂₃₀ P4604-54 32 DNA nTG18₃₁₃ 4604-62 33 Protein PTG18₅₄ P4604-62 34 DNA nTG19₃₈₉ 4604-63 35 Protein PTG19₆₅ P4604-63 36 DNA nTG21₅₄₈ 4604-69 37 Protein PTG21₁₈₃ P4604-69 38 DNA nTG22₃₁₀ BZ1-2 39 Protein PTG22₉₅ PBZ1-2 40 DNA nTG23₂₂₀ BZ1-3 41 Protein PTG23₇₃ PBZ1-3 42 DNA nTG24₆₄₂ BZ1-6 43 Protein PTG24₃₄ PBZ1-6 44 DNA nTG25₃₈₁ BZ2-3 45 Protein PTG25₂₇ PBZ2-3 46 DNA nTG26₄₃₂ BZ2-5 47 Protein PTG26₈₅ PBZ2-5 48 DNA nTG27₂₈₂ BZ3-2 49 Protein PTG27₃₅ PBZ3-2 50 DNA nTG28₄₆₆ BZ4-3 51 Protein PTG28₇₁ PBZ4-3 52 DNA nTG30₅₃₉ BZ4-6 53 Protein PTG30₂₀ PBZ4-6 54 DNA nTG31₁₂₃₃ AMX/I-5 55 DNA nTG32₄₁₁ AMX/I-6 56 Protein PTG32₆₀ PAMX/I-6 57 DNA nTG33₄₄₁ AMX/I-7 58 Protein PTG33₁₁₈ PAMX/I-7 59 DNA nTG34₄₉₁ AMX/I-9 60 Protein PTG34₃₄ PAMX/I-9 61 DNA nTG35₃₈₇ AMX/I-10 62 Protein PTG35₁₂₉ PAMX/I-10 63 DNA nTG36₄₁₇ AMI-23 64 Protein PTG36₁₃₉ PAMI-23 65 DNA nTG37₄₁₆ AMI-24 66 Protein PTG37₁₃₈ PAMI-24 67 DNA nTG38₅₀₀ AMI-28 68 DNA nTG40₃₂₁ AMI-47 69 Protein PTG40₇₃ PAMI-47 70 DNA nTG41_(513+C86) OC-1 71 Protein PTG41₁₇₁ POC-1 72 DNA nTG42₅₂₈ OC-2 73 Protein PTG42₁₇₆ POC-2 74 DNA nTG43₃₇₅ OC-13 75 Protein PTG43₁₂₅ POC-13 76 DNA nTG44₅₄₃ OC-14 77 Protein PTG44₈₉ POC-14 78 DNA nTG45₅₇₃ OC-22 79 Protein PTG45₁₉₁ POC-22 80 DNA nTG46₁₈₃₅ OC-23 81 Protein PTG46₆₁₂ POC-23 82 DNA nTG48₆₀₄ 4CQA7f 83 Protein PTG48₁₁₂ P4CQA7f 84 DNA nTG48₅₄₉ 4CQA7r 85 DNA nTG49₂₇₀ 4CQA11 86 Protein PTG49₉₀ P4CQA11 87 DNA nTG50₃₀₆ 4CQA19 88 Protein PTG50₁₀₂ P4CQA19 89 DNA nTG51₈₀₄ 4CQA21 90 Protein PTG51₂₆₈ P4CQA21 91 DNA nTG52₈₆₇ 4CQA22 92 Protein PTG52₂₈₉ P4CQA22 93 DNA nTG53₁₄₃₄ 4CQA24 94 Protein PTG53₁₆₄ P4CQA24 95 DNA nTG54₆₈₀ 4CQA25 96 Protein PTG54₂₂₇ P4CQA25 97 DNA nTG55₂₉₆ 4CQA26 98 Protein PTG55₉₉ P4CQA26 99 DNA nTG56₇₂₃ 4CQA27 100 Protein PTG56₅₃ P4CQA27 101 DNA nTG57₂₇₀ 4CQA29 102 Protein PTG57₉₀ P4CQA29 103 DNA nTG58₅₀₃ R8050-2 104 Protein PTG58₆₂ PR8050-2 105 DNA nTG60₃₂₂ R8050-5 106 Protein PTG60₇₃ PR8050-5 107 DNA nTG61₃₉₀ R8050-6 108 Protein PTG61₆₇ PR8050-6 109 DNA nTG62₆₉₉ M2A1 110 Protein PTG62₂₃₃ PM2A1 111 DNA nTG63₄₁₉ M2A2 112 Protein PTG63₁₄₀ PM2A2 113 DNA nTG64₃₀₃ M2A3 114 Protein PTG64₁₀₁ PM2A3 115 DNA nTG65₆₉₆ M2A4 116 Protein PTG65₂₃₂ PM2A4 117 DNA nTG66₁₇₃ M2A5 118 Protein PTG66₅₈ PM2A5 119 DNA nTG67₃₆₉ M2A6 120 Protein PTG67₁₂₃ PM2A6 121 DNA nTG68₅₆₆ M2A7 122 Protein PTG68₆₁ PM2A7 123 DNA nTG69₆₁₆ M2A11 124 Protein PTG69₂₀₅ PM2A11 125 DNA nTG70₇₆₂ M2A16 126 Protein PTG70₂₅₄ PM2A16 127 DNA nTG71₂₃₆ M2A18 128 Protein PTG71₇₉ PM2A18 129 DNA nTG72₅₆₉ M2A19 130 Protein PTG72₁₉₀ PM2A19 131 DNA nTG73₂₃₂ M2A20 132 DNA nTG74₂₇₆ M2A21 133 Protein PTG74₉₂ PM2A21 134 DNA nTG75₃₀₉ M2A22 135 Protein PTG75₁₀₃ PM2A22 136 DNA nTG76₅₃₄ M2A23 137 Protein PTG76₁₇₈ PM2A23 138 DNA nTG76₄₂₃ M2A23 139 DNA nTG77₃₂₇ M2A24 140 Protein PTG77₁₀₉ PM2A24 141 DNA nTG78₄₄₄ M2A25 142 Protein PTG78₁₄₈ PM2A25 143 DNA nTG79₉₂₈ M2A29 144 Protein PTG79₁₉ PM2A29 265 DNA nTG22_(310a) BZ1-2-a 266 Protein PTG22_(95a) PBZ1-2-a 267 DNA nTG64_(303a) M2A3-a 268 Protein PTG64_(101a) PM2A3-a 269 DNA nTG71_(236a) M2A18-a 270 Protein PTG71_(79a) PM2A18-a 271 DNA nTG6_(425a) Q2-9-1-a 272 Protein PTG6_(142a) PQ2-9-a 273 DNA nTG41_(513a) OC-1-a 274 Protein PTG41_(171a) POC-1-a 282 cDNA nTG₁₂₂₅ MGIS42 283 Protein PTG₂₈ PMGIS42 284 DNA nTG₁₂₂₅ rc 292 cDNA nTG₁₅₇₃ MGIS44 293 Protein PTG₇₃ PMGIS44 294 DNA nTG₁₅₇₃ rc 306 cDNA nTG₂₄₁₇ MGIS48 307 Protein PTG₉ PMGIS48 308 DNA nTG₂₄₁₇ rc 311 cDNA nTG₁₇₈₅ MGIS65 312 Protein PTG₂₄ PMGIS65 313 DNA nTG₁₇₈₅ rc 338 DNA nTG₆₄₇ 511-44 genomic 339 DNA nTG₆₄₇ rc 340 cDNA nTG₈₆₇ 511-44 coding region 341 Protein PTG₂₈₈ P511-44 342 DNA nTG₈₆₇ rc 343 cDNA nTG₁₃₉₇ 511- 44cDNA 345 DNA nTG₁₃₉₇ rc

It should be noted that because nucleic acid sequencing technology is not entirely error-free, the nucleic acid sequences disclosed in the present invention (as well as other nucleic acid and protein sequences presented herein) represent the apparent nucleic acid sequences of the nucleic acid molecules encoding T. gondii proteins of the present invention. The nucleic acid molecules cited in Table 1 also include the complementary (i.e., apparently non-coding) strands. As used herein the terms “complementary strand” and “complement” refer to the nucleic acid sequence of the DNA strand that is fully complementary to the DNA strand having the listed sequence, which can easily be determined by those skilled in the art. Likewise, a nucleic acid sequence complement of any nucleic acid sequence of the present invention refers to the nucleic acid sequence of the nucleic acid strand that is fully complementary to (i.e., can form a complete double helix with) the strand for which the sequence is cited. Production of the cited nucleic acid molecules is disclosed in the Examples as are methods to obtain nucleic acid sequences of the coding strands of such molecules and the amino acid sequences deduced therefrom.

In another embodiment, a T. gondii gene or nucleic acid molecule can be a naturally occurring allelic variant that includes a similar but not identical sequence to the cited nucleic acid molecules. A naturally occurring allelic variant of a T. gondii gene including any of the above-listed nucleic acid sequences is a gene that occurs at essentially the same locus (or loci) in the genome as the gene including at least one of the above-listed sequences, but which, due to natural variations caused by, for example, mutation or recombination, has a similar but not identical sequence. Because natural selection typically selects against alterations that affect function, allelic variants usually encode proteins having similar activity to that of the protein encoded by the gene to which they are being compared. Allelic variants of genes or nucleic acid molecules can also comprise alterations in the 5′ or 3′ untranslated regions of the gene (e.g., in regulatory control regions), or can involve alternative splicing of a nascent transcript, thereby bringing alternative exons into juxtaposition. Allelic variants are well known to those skilled in the art and would be expected to be found within a given T. gondii organism or population, because, for example, the genome goes through a diploid stage, and sexual reproduction results in the reassortment of alleles.

In one embodiment of the present invention, an isolated immunogenic T. gondii protein is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule that hybridizes under stringent hybridization conditions to a gene encoding an immunogenic T. gondii protein. The minimal size of a T. gondii protein of the present invention is a size sufficient to be encoded by a nucleic acid molecule capable of forming a stable hybrid (i.e., hybridizing under stringent hybridization conditions) with the complementary sequence of a nucleic acid molecule encoding the corresponding natural protein. The size of a nucleic acid molecule encoding such a protein is dependent on the nucleic acid composition and the percent homology between the T. gondii nucleic acid molecule and the complementary nucleic acid sequence. It can easily be understood that the extent of homology required to form a stable hybrid under stringent conditions can vary depending on whether the homologous sequences are interspersed throughout a given nucleic acid molecule or are clustered (i.e., localized) in distinct regions on a given nucleic acid molecule.

The minimal size of a nucleic acid molecule capable of forming a stable hybrid with a gene encoding an immunogenic T. gondii protein is typically at least about 12 to about 15 nucleotides in length if the nucleic acid molecule is GC-rich and at least about 15 to about 17 bases in length if it is AT-rich. The minimal size of a nucleic acid molecule used to encode an immunogenic T. gondii protein homolog of the present invention is from about 12 to about 18 nucleotides in length. Thus, the minimal size of an immunogenic T. gondii protein homolog of the present invention is from about 4 to about 6 amino acids in length. There is no limit, other than a practical limit, on the maximal size of a nucleic acid molecule encoding an immunogenic T. gondii protein of the present invention because a nucleic acid molecule of the present invention can include a portion of a gene, an entire gene, or multiple genes. A preferred nucleic acid molecule of the present invention is a nucleic acid molecule that is at least 12 nucleotides in length. Also preferred are nucleic acid molecules that are at least 18 nucleotides, or at least 20 nucleotides, or at least 25 nucleotides, or at least 30 nucleotides, or at least 40 nucleotides, or at least 50 nucleotides, or at least 70 nucleotides, or at least 100 nucleotides, or at least 150 nucleotides, or at least 200 nucleotides, or at least 250 nucleotides, or at least 300 nucleotides, or at least 350 nucleotides, or at least 400 nucleotides, or at least 500 nucleotides, or at least 750 nucleotides, or at least 1000 nucleotides, or at least 1500 nucleotides, or at least 1750 nucleotides, or at least 2000 nucleotides, or at least 2250 nucleotides, or at least 2417 nucleotides in length, The preferred size of a protein encoded by a nucleic acid molecule of the present invention depends on whether a full-length, fusion, multivalent, or functional portion of such a protein is desired.

Stringent hybridization conditions are determined based on defined physical properties of the gene to which the nucleic acid molecule is being hybridized, and can be defined mathematically. Stringent hybridization conditions are those experimental parameters that allow an individual skilled in the art to identify significant similarities between heterologous nucleic acid molecules. These conditions are well known to those skilled in the art. See, for example, Sambrook, et al., 1989, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Labs Press, and Meinkoth, et al., 1984, Anal. Biochem. 138, 267–284, each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. As explained in detail in the cited references, the determination of hybridization conditions involves the manipulation of a set of variables including the ionic strength (M, in moles/liter), the hybridization temperature (° C.), the concentration of nucleic acid helix destabilizing agents (such as formamide), the average length of the shortest hybrid duplex (n), and the percent G+C composition of the fragment to which an unknown nucleic acid molecule is being hybridized. For nucleic acid molecules of at least about 150 nucleotides, these variables are inserted into a standard mathematical formula to calculate the melting temperature, or T_(m), of a given nucleic acid molecule. As defined in the formula below, T_(m) is the temperature at which two complementary nucleic acid molecule strands will disassociate, assuming 100% complementarity between the two strands: T _(m)=81.5° C.+16.6 log M+0.41(% G+C)−500/n−0.61(% formamide). For nucleic acid molecules smaller than about 50 nucleotides, hybrid stability is defined by the dissociation temperature (T_(d)), which is defined as the temperature at which 50% of the duplexes dissociate. For these smaller molecules, the stability at a standard ionic strength is defined by the following equation: T _(d)=4(G+C)+2(A+T). A temperature of 5° C. below T_(d) is used to detect hybridization between perfectly matched molecules.

Also well known to those skilled in the art is how base-pair mismatch, i.e. differences between two nucleic acid molecules being compared, including non-complementarity of bases at a given location, and gaps due to insertion or deletion of one or more bases at a given location on either of the nucleic acid molecules being compared, will affect T_(m) or T_(d) for nucleic acid molecules of different sizes. For example, T_(m) decreases about 1° C. for each 1% of mismatched base-pairs for hybrids greater than about 150 bp, and T_(d) decreases about 5° C. for each mismatched base-pair for hybrids below about 50 bp. Conditions for hybrids between about 50 and about 150 base-pairs can be determined empirically and without undue experimentation using standard laboratory procedures well known to those skilled in the art. These simple procedures allow one skilled in the art to set the hybridization conditions (by altering, for example, the salt concentration, the formamide concentration or the temperature) so that only nucleic acid hybrids with less than a specified % base-pair mismatch will hybridize. Stringent hybridization conditions are commonly understood by those skilled in the art to be those experimental conditions that will allow hybridization between molecules having about 30% or less base-pair mismatch (i.e., about 70% or greater identity). Because one skilled in the art can easily determine whether a given nucleic acid molecule to be tested is less than or greater than about 50 nucleotides, and can therefore choose the appropriate formula for determining hybridization conditions, he or she can determine whether the nucleic acid molecule will hybridize with a given gene under stringent hybridization conditions and similarly whether the nucleic acid molecule will hybridize under conditions designed to allow a desired amount of base pair mismatch.

Hybridization reactions are often carried out by attaching the nucleic acid molecule to be hybridized to a solid support such as a membrane, and then hybridizing with a labeled nucleic acid molecule, typically referred to as a probe, suspended in a hybridization solution. Examples of common hybridization reaction techniques include, but are not limited to, the well-known Southern and northern blotting procedures. Typically, the actual hybridization reaction is done under non-stringent conditions, i.e., at a lower temperature and/or a higher salt concentration, and then high stringency is achieved by washing the membrane in a solution with a higher temperature and/or lower salt concentration in order to achieve the desired stringency.

For example, if the skilled artisan wished to identify a nucleic acid molecule that hybridizes under stringent hybridization conditions with a T. gondii nucleic acid molecule of about 150 bp in length, the following conditions could preferably be used. As an example, the average G+C content of Dirofilaria immitis DNA is about 35%. The unknown nucleic acid molecules would be attached to a support membrane, and the 150 bp probe would be labeled, e.g. with a radioactive tag. The hybridization reaction could be carried out in a solution comprising 2×SSC and 0% formamide, at a temperature of about 37° C. (low stringency conditions). Solutions of differing concentrations of SSC can be made by one of skill in the art by diluting a stock solution of 20×SSC (175.3 gram NaCl and about 88.2 gram sodium citrate in 1 liter of water, pH 7) to obtain the desired concentration of SSC. In order to achieve high stringency hybridization, the skilled artisan would calculate the washing conditions required to allow up to 30% base-pair mismatch. For example, in a wash solution comprising 1×SSC and 0% formamide, the T_(m) of perfect hybrids would be about 79° C.: 81.5° C.+16.6 log(0.15M)+(0.41×35)−(500/150)−(0.61×0)=79° C. Thus, to achieve hybridization with nucleic acid molecules having about 30% base-pair mismatch, hybridization washes would be carried out at a temperature of about 49° C. It is thus within the skill of one in the art to calculate additional hybridization temperatures based on the desired percentage base-pair mismatch, formulae and G/C content disclosed herein. For example, it is appreciated by one skilled in the art that as the nucleic acid molecule to be tested for hybridization against nucleic acid molecules of the present invention having sequences specified herein becomes longer than 150 nucleotides, the T_(m) for a hybridization reaction allowing up to 30% base-pair mismatch will not vary significantly from 49° C.

Furthermore, it is known in the art that there are commercially available computer programs for determining the degree of similarity between two nucleic acid sequences. These computer programs include various known methods to determine the percentage identity and the number and length of gaps between hybrid nucleic acid molecules. Preferred methods to determine the percent identity among amino acid sequences and also among nucleic acid sequences include analysis using one or more of the commercially available computer programs designed to compare and analyze nucleic acid or amino acid sequences. These computer programs include, but are not limited to, GCG™ (available from Genetics Computer Group, Madison, Wis.), DNAsis™ (available from Hitachi Software, San Bruno, Calif.) and MacVector™ (available from the Eastman Kodak Company, New Haven, Conn.). A preferred method to determine percent identity among amino acid sequences and also among nucleic acid sequences includes using the GCG™ program, Bestfit function with default parameter settings, or a gap weight of 12, a length weight of 4, an average match of 2.912, and an average mismatch of −2.003.

A preferred immunogenic T. gondii protein of the present invention is a compound that, when administered to an animal in an effective manner, is capable of protecting that animal from disease caused by T. gondii or, in the case of cats, is capable of preventing T. gondii oocyst shedding in cats infected with T. gondii. In accordance with the present invention, the ability of an immunogenic T. gondii protein of the present invention to protect an animal from T. gondii disease refers to the ability of that protein to, for example, treat, ameliorate and/or prevent disease caused by T. gondii. In one embodiment, an immunogenic T. gondii protein of the present invention can elicit an immune response (including a humoral and/or cellular immune response) against T. gondii.

The present invention also includes mimetopes of immunogenic T. gondii proteins of the present invention. As used herein, a mimetope of an immunogenic T. gondii protein of the present invention refers to any compound that is able to mimic the activity of such an immunogenic T. gondii protein, often because the mimetope has a structure that mimics the particular T. gondii protein. Mimetopes can be, but are not limited to: peptides that have been modified to decrease their susceptibility to degradation such as all-D retro peptides; anti-idiotypic and/or catalytic antibodies, or fragments thereof; non-proteinaceous immunogenic portions of an isolated protein (e.g., carbohydrate structures); and synthetic or natural organic molecules, including nucleic acids. Such mimetopes can be designed using computer-generated structures of proteins of the present invention. Mimetopes can also be obtained by generating random samples of molecules, such as oligonucleotides, peptides or other organic molecules, and screening such samples by affinity chromatography techniques using the corresponding binding partner.

One embodiment of an immunogenic T. gondii protein of the present invention is a fusion protein that includes an immunogenic T. gondii protein-containing domain attached to one or more fusion segments. Suitable fusion segments for use with the present invention include, but are not limited to, segments that can: enhance a protein's stability; act as an immunopotentiator to enhance an immune response against an immunogenic T. gondii protein; and/or assist in purification of an immunogenic T. gondii protein (e.g., by affinity chromatography). A suitable fusion segment can be a domain of any size that has the desired function (e.g., imparts increased stability, imparts increased immunogenicity to a protein, and/or simplifies purification of a protein). Fusion segments can be joined to amino and/or carboxyl termini of the immunogenic T. gondii protein-containing domain of the protein and can be susceptible to cleavage in order to enable straightforward recovery of an immunogenic T. gondii protein. Fusion proteins are preferably produced by culturing a recombinant cell transformed with a nucleic acid molecule that encodes a protein including the fusion segment attached to either the carboxyl and/or amino terminal end of an immunogenic T. gondii protein-containing domain. Preferred fusion segments include a metal binding domain (e.g., a poly-histidine segment); an immunoglobulin binding domain (e.g., Protein A; Protein G; T cell; B cell; Fc receptor or complement protein antibody-binding domains); a sugar binding domain (e.g., a maltose binding domain); and/or a “tag” domain (e.g., at least a portion of β-galactosidase, a strep tag peptide, a T7 tag peptide, a Flag™ peptide, or other domains that can be purified using compounds that bind to the domain, such as monoclonal antibodies). More preferred fusion segments include metal binding domains, such as a poly-histidine segment; a maltose binding domain; a strep tag peptide, such as that available from Biometra in Tampa, Fla.; and an S10 peptide.

In another embodiment, an immunogenic T. gondii protein of the present invention also includes at least one additional protein segment that is capable of protecting an animal from one or more diseases. Such a multivalent protective protein can be produced, for example, by culturing a cell transformed with a nucleic acid molecule comprising two or more nucleic acid domains joined together in such a manner that the resulting nucleic acid molecule is expressed as a multivalent protective compound containing at least two protective compounds capable of protecting an animal from diseases caused, for example, by at least one infectious agent.

Examples of multivalent protective compounds include, but are not limited to, an immunogenic T. gondii protein of the present invention attached to one or more compounds protective against one or more other infectious agents, particularly an agent that infects cats. In another embodiment, one or more protective compounds can be included in a multivalent vaccine comprising an immunogenic T. gondii protein of the present invention and one or more other protective molecules as separate compounds.

A preferred isolated immunogenic T. gondii protein of the present invention includes a protein that is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule that hybridizes under stringent hybridization conditions with a gene (i.e., with the non-coding strand which is a complement of the coding strand) comprising at least one of the nucleic acid molecules cited in Table 1. As such, also preferred is a protein that is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule that hybridizes under stringent hybridization conditions with the non-coding strand of a gene comprising at least one of the nucleic acid sequences cited in Table 1. More preferred is a protein encoded by a nucleic acid molecule that hybridizes under stringent hybridization conditions with at least one of the cited nucleic acid molecules particularly since those nucleic acid molecules have been shown to encode proteins that selectively bind to antiserum that either was raised against T. gondii oocysts, bradyzoites, or infected cat gut, or was isolated from a cat immune to T. gondii infection. As such, also preferred is a protein encoded by a nucleic acid molecule that hybridizes under stringent hybridization conditions with the complement of at least one of the cited nucleic acid sequences.

Even more preferred are isolated proteins having an amino acid sequence encoded by a nucleic acid molecules that are at least about 75%, preferably at least about 80%, more preferably at least about 85%, even more preferably at least about 90%, even more preferably at least about 95%, and even more preferably at least about 98% identical to one of the nucleic acid molecules and/or nucleic acid sequences cited in Table 1. Also preferred are proteins that comprise one or more epitopes of any of the proteins having such amino acid sequences.

A particularly preferred isolated protein of the present invention is a protein having an amino acid sequence encoded by at least one of the cited nucleic acid molecules and/or cited nucleic acid sequences, a protein encoded by an allelic variant of at least one of the cited nucleic acid molecules and/or nucleic acid sequences, or a protein comprising an epitope of any of the proteins having such amino acid sequences.

In one embodiment, preferred immunogenic T. gondii proteins of the present invention include proteins that are at least about 75%, preferably at least about 80%, more preferably at least about 85%, even more preferably at least about 90%, and even more preferably at least about 95% identical to at least one of the proteins cited in Table 1. As such, also preferred are proteins that are at least about 75%, preferably at least about 80%, more preferably at least about 85%, even more preferably at least about 90%, and even more preferably at least about 95% identical to at least one of the amino acid sequences cited in Table 1. Also preferred are proteins that comprise one or more epitopes of any of such proteins. More preferred are immunogenic T. gondii proteins comprising the cited proteins and/or having the cited amino acid sequences, proteins encoded by allelic variants of nucleic acid molecules encoding proteins including the cited proteins and/or having the cited amino acid sequences, and proteins having one or more epitopes of such proteins.

Another embodiment of the present invention is an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a T. gondii nucleic acid molecule that encodes an immunogenic T. gondii protein. The identifying characteristics of such nucleic acid molecules are heretofore described. A nucleic acid molecule of the present invention can include an isolated natural T. gondii nucleic acid molecule or a homolog thereof, the latter of which is described in more detail below. A nucleic acid molecule of the present invention can include one or more regulatory regions, full-length or partial coding regions, or combinations thereof. The minimal size of a nucleic acid molecule of the present invention is a size sufficient to allow the formation of a stable hybrid (i.e., hybridization under stringent hybridization conditions) with the complementary sequence of another nucleic acid molecule. The minimal size of an T. gondii nucleic acid molecule of the present invention is from about 12 to about 18 nucleotides in length.

In accordance with the present invention, an isolated nucleic acid molecule is a nucleic acid molecule that has been removed from its natural milieu (i.e., that has been subjected to human manipulation) and can include DNA, RNA, or derivatives of either DNA or RNA. Accordingly, the term “isolated”, as used herein to describe a nucleic acid molecule, does not reflect the extent to which the nucleic acid molecule has been purified. An isolated T. gondii nucleic acid molecule of the present invention can be isolated from its natural source or produced using recombinant nucleic acid technology (e.g., polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification or cloning) or chemical synthesis. Isolated T. gondii nucleic acid molecules can include, for example, natural allelic variants and nucleic acid molecules modified by nucleotide insertions, deletions, substitutions, and/or inversions in a manner such that the modifications do not substantially interfere with the nucleic acid molecule's ability to encode an immunogenic T. gondii protein of the present invention.

A homolog of a nucleic acid molecule encoding an immunogenic T. gondii protein can be produced using a number of methods known to those skilled in the art, see, for example, Sambrook et al., 1989, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Labs Press; Sambrook et al., ibid., is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. For example, nucleic acid molecules can be modified using a variety of techniques including, but not limited to, classic mutagenesis and recombinant DNA techniques such as site-directed mutagenesis, chemical treatment, restriction enzyme cleavage, ligation of nucleic acid fragments, PCR amplification, synthesis of oligonucleotide mixtures and ligation of mixture groups to “build” a mixture of nucleic acid molecules, and combinations thereof. Nucleic acid molecule homologs can be selected by hybridization with a nucleic acid molecule encoding an immunogenic T. gondii protein or by screening the function of a protein encoded by the nucleic acid molecule (e.g., ability to elicit an immune response against at least one epitope of an immunogenic T. gondii protein).

An isolated nucleic acid molecule of the present invention can include a nucleic acid sequence that encodes at least one immunogenic T. gondii protein of the present invention, examples of which are disclosed herein. Although the phrase “nucleic acid molecule” primarily refers to the physical nucleic acid molecule and the phrase “nucleic acid sequence” primarily refers to the sequence of nucleotides on the nucleic acid molecule, the two phrases can be used interchangeably, especially with respect to a nucleic acid molecule, or a nucleic acid sequence, capable of encoding an T. gondii protein.

A preferred nucleic acid molecule of the present invention, when administered to a cat, is capable of preventing T. gondii oocyst shedding. As will be disclosed in more detail below, such a nucleic acid molecule can be, or encode, an antisense RNA, a molecule capable of triple helix formation, a ribozyme, or other nucleic acid-based drug compound. In additional embodiments, a nucleic acid molecule of the present invention can encode a protective protein (e.g., an immunogenic T. gondii protein of the present invention), the nucleic acid molecule being delivered to the animal, for example, by direct injection (i.e, as a genetic vaccine) or in a vehicle such as a recombinant virus vaccine or a recombinant cell vaccine. Another preferred nucleic acid molecule of the present invention, when administered to an animal, is capable of preventing disease in that animal caused by T. gondii.

One embodiment of the present invention is an isolated nucleic acid molecule that hybridizes under stringent hybridization conditions with a nucleic acid molecule comprising at least one of the nucleic acid molecules cited in Table 1. As such, also preferred is a nucleic acid molecule that hybridizes under stringent hybridization conditions with at least one of the nucleic acid sequences cited in Table 1 or with a complement of such a sequence. More preferred is a nucleic acid molecule that hybridizes under stringent hybridization conditions with at least one of the cited nucleic acid molecules. As such, also preferred is a nucleic acid molecule that hybridizes under stringent hybridization conditions with at least one of the cited nucleic acid sequences or with a complement thereof.

Even more preferred are isolated nucleic acid molecules that are at least about 75%, preferably at least about 80%, more preferably at least about 85%, even more preferably at least about 90%, even more preferably at least about 95%, and even more preferably at least about 98% identical to one of the nucleic acid molecules and/or nucleic acid sequences cited in Table 1. Also preferred are nucleic acid molecules that form stable hybrids with nucleic acid molecules having those percent identities.

A particularly preferred isolated nucleic acid molecule of the present invention is a nucleic acid molecule that comprises at least one of the cited nucleic acid molecules and/or cited nucleic acid sequences, a nucleic acid molecule that is an allelic variant of at least one of the cited nucleic acid molecules and/or nucleic acid sequences, or a nucleic acid molecule that is a portion thereof (i.e., a nucleic acid molecule that forms a stable hybrid with at least one of the cited nucleic acid molecules or allelic variants thereof).

In one embodiment, a nucleic acid molecule encoding an immunogenic T. gondii protein of the present invention encodes a protein that is at least about 75%, preferably at least about 80%, more preferably at least about 85%, even more preferably at least about 90%, and even more preferably at least about 95% identical to the proteins cited in Table 1. Even more preferred is a nucleic acid molecule encoding a protein cited in Table 1 or an allelic variant of such a nucleic acid molecule. Also preferred are nucleic acid molecules encoding proteins comprising one or more epitopes of proteins having the cited percent identities or epitopes of proteins cited in Table 1 or encoded by nucleic acid molecules that are allelic variants of nucleic acid molecules cited in Table 1.

In another embodiment, a nucleic acid molecule encoding an immunogenic T. gondii protein of the present invention encodes a protein having an amino acid sequence that is at least about 75%, preferably at least about 80%, more preferably at least about 85%, even more preferably at least about 90%, and even more preferably at least about 95% identical to at least one of the amino acid sequences cited in Table 1. Even more preferred is a nucleic acid molecule encoding a protein having an amino acid sequence cited in Table 1 or an allelic variant of such a nucleic acid molecule. Also preferred are nucleic acid molecules encoding proteins comprising one or more epitopes of proteins having the cited percent identities or epitopes of proteins having amino acid sequences cited in Table 1 or encoded by nucleic acid molecules that are allelic variants of nucleic acid molecules cited in Table 1.

Note that nucleic acid molecules of the present invention can include nucleotide sequences in addition to those disclosed above, such as, but not limited to, nucleotide sequences comprising a full-length gene, a full-length coding region, a nucleic acid molecule encoding a fusion protein, or a nucleic acid molecule encoding a multivalent protective compound. Also included in the present invention are nucleic acid molecules that have been modified to accommodate codon usage properties of the cells in which such nucleic acid molecules are to be expressed. Preferred nucleic acid molecules of the present invention include fragments of the nucleic acid molecules disclosed in Table 1.

Knowing the nucleic acid sequences of certain nucleic acid molecules encoding immunogenic T. gondii proteins of the present invention allows one skilled in the art to, for example, (a) make copies of those nucleic acid molecules, (b) obtain nucleic acid molecules including at least a portion of such nucleic acid molecules (e.g., nucleic acid molecules including full-length genes, full-length coding regions, regulatory control sequences, truncated coding regions), and (c) obtain other nucleic acid molecules encoding an immunogenic T. gondii proteins. Such nucleic acid molecules can be obtained in a variety of ways including screening appropriate expression libraries with antibodies of the present invention; traditional cloning techniques using oligonucleotide probes of the present invention to screen appropriate libraries; and PCR amplification of appropriate libraries or DNA using oligonucleotide primers of the present invention. Preferred libraries to screen or from which to amplify nucleic acid molecules include T. gondii cDNA libraries as well as genomic DNA libraries. Similarly, preferred DNA sources from which to amplify nucleic acid molecules include T. gondii cDNA and genomic DNA. Techniques to clone and amplify nucleic acid molecules are disclosed, for example, in Sambrook et al., ibid.

The present invention also includes nucleic acid molecules that are oligonucleotides capable of hybridizing, under stringent hybridization conditions, with complementary regions of other, preferably longer, nucleic acid molecules of the present invention such as those comprising nucleic acid molecules encoding immunogenic T. gondii proteins. Oligonucleotides of the present invention can be RNA, DNA, or derivatives of either. The minimum size of such oligonucleotides is the size required for formation of a stable hybrid between an oligonucleotide and a complementary sequence on a nucleic acid molecule of the present invention. A preferred oligonucleotide of the present invention has a maximum size of about 100 nucleotides. The present invention includes oligonucleotides that can be used as, for example, probes to identify nucleic acid molecules encoding immunogenic T. gondii proteins, primers to produce nucleic acid molecules encoding immunogenic T. gondii proteins, or reagents to inhibit immunogenic T. gondii protein production or activity (e.g., as antisense-, triplex formation-, ribozyme- and/or RNA drug-based reagents). The present invention also includes the use of such oligonucleotides to protect animals from disease using one or more of such technologies. Appropriate oligonucleotide-containing compositions can be administered to an animal using techniques known to those skilled in the art.

One embodiment of the present invention includes a recombinant vector, which includes at least one isolated nucleic acid molecule of the present invention, inserted into any vector capable of delivering the nucleic acid molecule into a host cell. Such a vector contains heterologous nucleic acid sequences, that is nucleic acid sequences that are not naturally found adjacent to nucleic acid molecules of the present invention and that preferably are derived from a species other than the species from which the nucleic acid molecule(s) are derived. The vector can be either RNA or DNA, either prokaryotic or eukaryotic, and typically is a virus or a plasmid. Recombinant vectors can be used in the cloning, sequencing, and/or otherwise manipulating of nucleic acid molecule encoding immunogenic T. gondii proteins of the present invention.

One type of recombinant vector, referred to herein as a recombinant molecule, comprises a nucleic acid molecule of the present invention operatively linked to an expression vector. The phrase operatively linked refers to insertion of a nucleic acid molecule into an expression vector in a manner such that the molecule is able to be expressed when transformed into a host cell. As used herein, an expression vector is a DNA or RNA vector that is capable of transforming a host cell and of effecting expression of a specified nucleic acid molecule. Preferably, the expression vector is also capable of replicating within the host cell. Expression vectors can be operative in either prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells, and are typically viruses or plasmids. Expression vectors of the present invention include any vectors that function (i.e., direct gene expression) in recombinant cells of the present invention, including in bacterial, fungal, parasite, insect, other animal, and plant cells. Preferred expression vectors of the present invention can direct gene expression in bacterial, yeast, T. gondii and mammalian cells, and more preferably in the cell types disclosed herein.

In particular, expression vectors of the present invention contain regulatory sequences such as transcription control sequences, translation control sequences, origins of replication, and other regulatory sequences that are compatible with the recombinant cell and that control the expression of nucleic acid molecules of the present invention. In particular, recombinant molecules of the present invention include transcription control sequences. Transcription control sequences are sequences which control the initiation, elongation, and termination of transcription. Particularly important transcription control sequences are those which control transcription initiation, such as promoter, enhancer, operator and repressor sequences. Suitable transcription control sequences include any transcription control sequence that can function in at least one of the recombinant cells of the present invention. A variety of such transcription control sequences are known to those skilled in the art. Preferred transcription control sequences include those which function in bacterial, yeast, helminth or other endoparasite, or insect and mammalian cells, such as, but not limited to, tac, lac, trp, trc, oxy-pro, omp/lpp, rrnB, bacteriophage lambda (such as lambda P_(L) and lambda P_(R) and fusions that include such promoters), bacteriophage T7, T7lac, bacteriophage T3, bacteriophage SP6, bacteriophage SP01, metallothionein, alpha-mating factor, Pichia alcohol oxidase, alphavirus subgenomic promoter, antibiotic resistance gene, baculovirus, Heliothis zea insect virus, vaccinia virus, herpesvirus, raccoon poxvirus, other poxvirus, adenovirus, cytomegalovirus (such as immediate early promoter), simian virus 40, retrovirus, actin, retroviral long terminal repeat, Rous sarcoma virus, heat shock, phosphate and nitrate transcription control sequences as well as other sequences capable of controlling gene expression in prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells. Additional suitable transcription control sequences include tissue-specific promoters and enhancers as well as lymphokine-inducible promoters (e.g., promoters inducible by interferons or interleukins). Transcription control sequences of the present invention can also include naturally occurring transcription control sequences naturally associated with T. gondii.

Suitable and preferred nucleic acid molecules to include in recombinant vectors of the present invention are as disclosed herein. Preferred nucleic acid molecules to include in recombinant vectors, and particularly in recombinant molecules, include those cited in Table 1. Particularly preferred recombinant molecules of the present invention include those recombinant molecules, the production of which are described in the Examples section.

Recombinant molecules of the present invention may also (a) contain secretory signals (i.e., signal segment nucleic acid sequences) to enable an expressed T. gondii protein of the present invention to be secreted from the cell that produces the protein and/or (b) contain fusion sequences which lead to the expression of nucleic acid molecules of the present invention as fusion proteins. Examples of suitable signal segments include any signal segment capable of directing the secretion of a protein of the present invention. Preferred signal segments include, but are not limited to, tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), interferon, interleukin, growth hormone, histocompatibility and viral envelope glycoprotein signal segments. Suitable fusion segments encoded by fusion segment nucleic acids are disclosed herein. In addition, a nucleic acid molecule of the present invention can be joined to a fusion segment that directs the encoded protein to the proteosome, such as a ubiquitin fusion segment. Eukaryotic recombinant molecules may also include intervening and/or untranslated sequences surrounding and/or within the nucleic acid sequences of nucleic acid molecules of the present invention.

Another embodiment of the present invention includes a recombinant cell comprising a host cell transformed with one or more recombinant molecules of the present invention. Transformation of a nucleic acid molecule into a cell can be accomplished by any method by which a nucleic acid molecule can be inserted into the cell. Transformation techniques include, but are not limited to, transfection, electroporation, microinjection, lipofection, adsorption, and protoplast fusion. A recombinant cell may remain unicellular or may grow into a tissue, organ or a multicellular organism. Transformed nucleic acid molecules of the present invention can remain extrachromosomal or can integrate into one or more sites within a chromosome of the transformed (i.e., recombinant) cell in such a manner that their ability to be expressed is retained. Preferred nucleic acid molecules with which to transform a cell include nucleic acid molecules encoding immunogenic T. gondii proteins disclosed herein. Particularly preferred nucleic acid molecules with which to transform a cell include those listed in Table 1.

Suitable host cells to transform include any cell that can be transformed with a nucleic acid molecule of the present invention. Host cells can be either untransformed cells or cells that are already transformed with at least one nucleic acid molecule (e.g., nucleic acid molecules encoding one or more proteins of the present invention and/or other proteins useful in the production of multivalent vaccines). Host cells of the present invention either can be endogenously (i.e., naturally) capable of producing T. gondii proteins of the present invention or can be capable of producing such proteins after being transformed with at least one nucleic acid molecule of the present invention. Host cells of the present invention can be any cell capable of producing at least one protein of the present invention, and include bacterial, fungal (including yeast), parasite (including helminth, protozoa and ectoparasite), insect, other animal and plant cells. Preferred host cells include bacterial, mycobacterial, yeast, protozoan, helminth, insect and mammalian cells. More preferred host cells include Salmonella, Escherichia, Bacillus, Listeria, Saccharomyces, Spodoptera, Mycobacteria, Trichoplusia, BHK (baby hamster kidney) cells, MDCK cells (Madin-Darby canine kidney cell line), CRFK cells (Crandell feline kidney cell line), CV-1 cells (African monkey kidney cell line used, for example, to culture raccoon poxvirus), COS (e.g., COS-7) cells, and Vero cells. Particularly preferred host cells are Escherichia coli, including E. coli K-12 derivatives; Salmonella typhi; Salmonella typhimurium, including attenuated strains such as UK-1 _(χ)3987 and SR-11 _(χ)4072; Spodoptera frugiperda; Trichoplusia ni; BHK cells; MDCK cells; CRFK cells; CV-1 cells; COS cells; Vero cells; and non-tumorigenic mouse myoblast G8 cells (e.g., ATCC CRL 1246). Additional appropriate mammalian cell hosts include other kidney cell lines, other fibroblast cell lines (e.g., human, murine or chicken embryo fibroblast cell lines), myeloma cell lines, Chinese hamster ovary cells, mouse NIH/3T3 cells, LMTK³¹ cells and/or HeLa cells. In one embodiment, the proteins may be expressed as heterologous proteins in myeloma cell lines employing immunoglobulin promoters.

A recombinant cell is preferably produced by transforming a host cell with one or more recombinant molecules, each comprising one or more nucleic acid molecules of the present invention operatively linked to an expression vector containing one or more transcription control sequences, examples of which are disclosed herein.

A recombinant cell of the present invention includes any cell transformed with at least one of any nucleic acid molecule of the present invention. Suitable and preferred nucleic acid molecules as well as suitable and preferred recombinant molecules with which to transfer cells are disclosed herein. Particularly preferred recombinant cells include those recombinant cells, the production of which are disclosed in the Examples section.

Recombinant cells of the present invention can also be co-transformed with one or more recombinant molecules including a nucleic acid molecule encoding at least one immunogenic T. gondii protein of the present invention and one or more other nucleic acid molecules encoding other protective compounds, as disclosed herein (e.g., to produce multivalent vaccines).

Recombinant DNA technologies can be used to improve expression of transformed nucleic acid molecules by manipulating, for example, the number of copies of the nucleic acid molecules within a host cell, the efficiency with which those nucleic acid molecules are transcribed, the efficiency with which the resultant transcripts are translated, and the efficiency of post-translational modifications. Recombinant techniques useful for increasing the expression of nucleic acid molecules of the present invention include, but are not limited to, operatively linking nucleic acid molecules to high-copy number plasmids, integration of the nucleic acid molecules into one or more host cell chromosomes, addition of vector stability sequences to plasmids, substitutions or modifications of transcription control signals (e.g., promoters, operators, enhancers), substitutions or modifications of translational control signals (e.g., ribosome binding sites, Shine-Dalgarno sequences), modification of nucleic acid molecules of the present invention to correspond to the codon usage of the host cell, deletion of sequences that destabilize transcripts, and use of control signals that temporally separate recombinant cell growth from recombinant enzyme production during fermentation. The activity of an expressed recombinant protein of the present invention may be improved by fragmenting, modifying, or derivatizing nucleic acid molecules encoding such a protein.

Isolated T. gondii proteins of the present invention can be produced in a variety of ways, including production and recovery of natural proteins, production and recovery of recombinant proteins, and chemical synthesis of the proteins. In one embodiment, an isolated protein of the present invention is produced by culturing a cell capable of expressing the protein under conditions effective to produce the protein, and recovering the protein. A preferred cell to culture is a recombinant cell of the present invention. Effective culture conditions include, but are not limited to, effective media, bioreactor, temperature, pH and oxygen conditions that permit protein production. An effective medium refers to any medium in which a cell is cultured to produce an immunogenic T. gondii protein of the present invention. Effective media typically comprise an aqueous medium having assimilable carbon, nitrogen and phosphate sources, and appropriate salts, minerals, metals and other nutrients, such as vitamins. Cells of the present invention can be cultured in conventional fermentation bioreactors, shake flasks, test tubes, microtiter dishes, and petri plates. Culturing can be carried out at a temperature, pH and oxygen content appropriate for a recombinant cell. Suitable culturing conditions are within the expertise of one of ordinary skill in the art. Examples of suitable conditions are included in the Examples section.

Depending on the vector and host system used for production, resultant proteins of the present invention may either remain within the recombinant cell; be secreted into the fermentation medium; be secreted into a space between two cellular membranes, such as the periplasmic space in E. coli; or be retained on the outer surface of a cell or viral membrane.

The phrase “recovering the protein”, as well as similar phrases, refers to collecting the whole fermentation medium containing the protein and need not imply additional steps of separation or purification. Proteins of the present invention can be purified using a variety of standard protein purification techniques, such as, but not limited to, affinity chromatography, ion exchange chromatography, filtration, electrophoresis, hydrophobic interaction chromatography, gel filtration chromatography, reverse phase chromatography, concanavalin A chromatography, chromatofocusing and differential solubilization. Proteins of the present invention are preferably retrieved in “substantially pure” form. As used herein, “substantially pure” refers to a purity that allows for the effective use of the protein as a composition to inhibit T. gondii oocyst shedding in a cat due to infection with T. gondii, or for preventing T. gondii infection in an animal, or as a diagnostic reagent. A composition for inhibiting T. gondii oocyst shedding in a cat due to infection with T. gondii animals, or for preventing T. gondii infection in an animal for example, should exhibit no substantial toxicity and preferably should be capable of stimulating the production of antibodies in a treated animal.

The present invention also includes isolated (i.e., removed from their natural milieu) antibodies that selectively bind to an immunogenic T. gondii protein of the present invention or a mimetope thereof (e.g., anti-T. gondii antibodies). As used herein, the term “selectively binds to” an immunogenic T. gondii protein refers to the ability of antibodies of the present invention to preferentially bind to specified proteins and mimetopes thereof of the present invention. Binding can be measured using a variety of methods standard in the art including enzyme immunoassays (e.g., ELISA), immunoblot assays, etc.; see, for example, Sambrook et al., ibid., and Harlow, et al., 1988, Antibodies, a Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Labs Press; Harlow et al., ibid., is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. An anti-T. gondii antibody of the present invention preferably selectively binds to an immunogenic T. gondii protein in such a way as to inhibit the function of that protein.

Isolated antibodies of the present invention can include antibodies in any bodily fluid that has been collected (e.g., recovered) from an animal. Suitable bodily fluids include, but are not limited to, blood, serum, plasma, urine, tears, aqueous humor, central nervous system fluid (CNF), saliva, lymph, nasal secretions, milk and feces. Thus, serum containing antibodies (i.e., antiserum) or mucosal secretions, such as intestinal secretions, are examples of isolated antibodies. Other embodiments of antibodies include antibodies that have been purified to varying degrees. Antibodies of the present invention can be polyclonal or monoclonal, or can be functional equivalents such as antibody fragments and genetically-engineered antibodies, including single chain antibodies or chimeric antibodies that can bind to one or more epitopes.

A preferred method to produce antibodies of the present invention includes (a) administering to an animal an effective amount of a protein, peptide or mimetope thereof of the present invention to produce the antibodies and (b) recovering the antibodies. In another method, antibodies of the present invention are produced recombinantly using techniques as heretofore disclosed to produce T. gondii proteins of the present invention. Antibodies raised against defined proteins or mimetopes can be advantageous because such antibodies are not substantially contaminated with antibodies against other substances that might otherwise cause interference in a diagnostic assay or side effects if used in a composition for inhibiting T. gondii oocyst shedding in a cat due to infection with T. gondii, or for preventing T. gondii infection in an animal.

Antibodies of the present invention have a variety of potential uses that are within the scope of the present invention. For example, such antibodies can be used (a) as compounds to passively immunize a cat in order to inhibit the cat from shedding T. gondii oocysts, (b) as reagents in assays to detect infection by T. gondii and/or (c) as tools to screen expression libraries and/or to recover desired proteins of the present invention from a mixture of proteins and other contaminants.

One embodiment of the present invention includes a method for identifying a nucleic acid molecule encoding an immunogenic T. gondii protein. According to this method, antiserum (comprising either monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies) raised against a T. gondii developmental stage or stages, or against oocysts, is used to immunoscreen a T. gondii genomic expression library or a T. gondii cDNA expression library, and a nucleic acid molecule expressing an immunogenic T. gondii protein is identified by its ability to selectively bind to at least one antibody within the antiserum. As used herein, the term immunoscreen refers to a method in which antibodies are mixed with a sample to determine whether the sample contains a substance to which the antibodies can selectively bind. A substance is identified by its ability to selectively bind to such antibodies. Although general methods to accomplishing immunoscreening of expression libraries are known to those skilled in the art, the exact method to use such a technique to identify T. gondii immunogenic proteins was not previously known. The present invention includes the identification of antisera that are useful in the identification and isolation of nucleic acid molecules encoding T. gondii immunogenic proteins. Such antisera include antiserum raised against T. gondii oocysts, antiserum raised against T. gondii bradyzoites, antiserum raised against T. gondii infected cat gut, and antiserum isolated from a cat immune to T. gondii infection. In one embodiment, antiserum as described above is enriched for antibodies specific to T. gondii gametogenic stages. In a preferred embodiment, polyclonal antiserum is produced by exposing an animal to a T. gondii antigen or antigens, then isolating the antiserum from the animal so exposed. Methods to produce and use the various antisera are described in the Examples section.

In another embodiment, immunoscreening as described above can be used to identify an immunogenic T. gondii protein. According to this method, antiserum as described above is used to immunoscreen a T. gondii genomic expression library or cDNA expression library, and an immunogenic T. gondii protein is identified. T. gondii immunogenic proteins can also be identified by immunoscreening preparations containing T. gondii antigens (e.g., T. gondii oocysts, bradyzoites, infected cat guts) using antiserum as described above.

Nucleic acid molecules and proteins identified using such techniques can be isolated (i.e., recovered) and purified to a desired state of purity using techniques known to those skilled in the art.

One embodiment of the present invention is a composition that, when administered to a cat in an effective manner, is capable of preventing that cat from shedding T. gondii oocysts. Compositions of the present invention, useful for inhibiting T. gondii oocyst shedding in a cat due to infection with T. gondii (i.e., infection with T. gondii causes oocyst shedding in cats), include at least one of the following protective compounds: an isolated immunogenic T. gondii protein or a mimetope thereof, an isolated nucleic acid molecule that hybridizes under stringent hybridization conditions with a nucleic acid molecule comprising one of the nucleic acid molecules and/or nucleic acid sequences cited in Table 1, an isolated antibody that selectively binds to an immunogenic T. gondii protein, an inhibitor of T. gondii function identified by its ability to bind to an immunogenic T. gondii protein and thereby impede development and/or the production of oocysts, or a mixture thereof (i.e., combination of at least two of the compounds). As used herein, a protective compound refers to a compound that, when administered to a cat in an effective manner, is able to inhibit the cat from shedding T. gondii oocysts upon infection with T. gondii. The term protective compound also refers to a compound that, when administered to a cat or other animal, including a human, in an effective manner, is able to prevent or ameliorate disease caused by infection with T. gondii. Examples of proteins, nucleic acid molecules, antibodies and inhibitors of the present invention are disclosed herein.

The present invention also includes a composition comprising at least one T. gondii protein-based compound of the present invention in combination with at least one additional compound protective against one or more infectious agents. Examples of such compounds and infectious agents are disclosed herein.

Compositions of the present invention that are useful for preventing T. gondii infection can be administered to any animal susceptible to such therapy, preferably to mammals.

In order to inhibit a cat from shedding T. gondii oocysts, a composition of the present invention is administered to the cat in a manner effective to inhibit that cat from shedding T. gondii oocysts. In a preferred embodiment, compositions of the present invention are administered to cats prior to infection in order to prevent oocyst shedding (i.e., as a preventative vaccine). In another embodiment, compositions of the present invention can be administered to animals after infection in order to treat disease caused by T. gondii (e.g., as a therapeutic vaccine).

Compositions of the present invention, useful for inhibiting T. gondii oocyst shedding in a cat due to infection with T. gondii, or for preventing T. gondii infection in an animal, can be formulated in an excipient that the animal to be treated can tolerate. Examples of such excipients include water, saline, Ringer's solution, dextrose solution, Hank's solution, and other aqueous physiologically balanced salt solutions. Nonaqueous vehicles, such as fixed oils, sesame oil, ethyl oleate, or triglycerides may also be used. Other useful formulations include suspensions containing viscosity enhancing agents, such as sodium carboxymethylcellulose, sorbitol, or dextran. Excipients can also contain minor amounts of additives, such as substances that enhance isotonicity and chemical stability. Examples of buffers include phosphate buffer, bicarbonate buffer and Tris buffer, while examples of preservatives include thimerosal,—or o-cresol, formalin and benzyl alcohol. Standard formulations can either be liquid injectables or solids which can be taken up in a suitable liquid as a suspension or solution for injection. Thus, in a non-liquid formulation, the excipient can comprise dextrose, human serum albumin, preservatives, etc., to which sterile water or saline can be added prior to administration.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a composition useful for inhibiting oocyst shedding in a cat infected with T. gondii, or for preventing T. gondii infection in an animal, can include an adjuvant. Adjuvants are agents that are capable of enhancing the immune response of an animal to a specific antigen. Suitable adjuvants include, but are not limited to, cytokines, chemokines, and compounds that induce the production of cytokines and chemokines (e.g., granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF), colony stimulating factor (CSF), erythropoietin (EPO), interleukin 2 (IL-2), interleukin-3 (IL-3), interleukin 4 (IL-4), interleukin 5 (IL-5), interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 7 (IL-7), interleukin 8 (IL-8), interleukin 10 (IL-10), interleukin 12 (IL-12), interferon gamma, interferon gamma inducing factor I (IGIF), transforming growth factor beta, RANTES (regulated upon activation, normal T-cell expressed and presumably secreted), macrophage inflammatory proteins (e.g., MIP-1 alpha and MIP-1 beta), and Leishmania elongation initiating factor (LEIF)); bacterial components (e.g., endotoxins, in particular superantigens, exotoxins and cell wall components); aluminum-based salts; calcium-based salts; silica; polynucleotides; toxoids; serum proteins, viral coat proteins; block copolymer adjuvants (e.g., Hunter's Titermax™ adjuvant (Vaxcel™, Inc. Norcross, Ga.), Ribi adjuvants (Ribi ImmunoChem Research, Inc., Hamilton, Mont.); and saponins and their derivatives (e.g., Quil A (Superfos Biosector A/S, Denmark). Protein adjuvants of the present invention can be delivered in the form of the protein themselves or of nucleic acid molecules encoding such proteins using the methods described herein.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a composition useful for inhibiting oocyst shedding in a cat infected with T. gondii, or for preventing T. gondii infection in an animal, can include a carrier. Carriers include compounds that increase the half-life of a composition of the present invention in the treated animal. Suitable carriers include, but are not limited to, polymeric controlled release vehicles, biodegradable implants, liposomes, bacteria, viruses, other cells, oils, esters, and glycols.

One embodiment of the present invention is a controlled release formulation that is capable of slowly releasing a composition of the present invention into an animal. As used herein, a controlled release formulation comprises a composition of the present invention in a controlled release vehicle. Suitable controlled release vehicles include, but are not limited to, biocompatible polymers, other polymeric matrices, capsules, microcapsules, microparticles, bolus preparations, osmotic pumps, diffusion devices, liposomes, lipospheres, and transdermal delivery systems. Other controlled release formulations of the present invention include liquids that, upon administration to an animal, form a solid or a gel in situ. Preferred controlled release formulations are biodegradable (i.e., bioerodible).

A preferred controlled release formulation of the present invention is capable of releasing a composition of the present invention into the blood of the treated animal at a constant rate sufficient to attain dose levels of the composition effective to either inhibit oocyst shedding by cats, or to protect an animal from disease caused by T. gondii. The composition is preferably released over a period of time ranging from about 1 to about 12 months. A controlled release formulation of the present invention is capable of effecting a treatment preferably for at least about 1 month, more preferably for at least about 3 months, even more preferably for at least about 6 months, even more preferably for at least about 9 months, and even more preferably for at least about 12 months.

Compositions of the present invention can be administered to cats prior to infection in order to inhibit oocyst shedding, and/or can be administered to cats or other animals, including humans, before infection in order to prevent disease caused by T. gondii infection, or after infection in order to treat disease caused by T. gondii. For example, nucleic acid molecules, proteins, mimetopes thereof, antibodies thereof, and inhibitors thereof can be used to treat or prevent disease caused by T. gondii infection. Acceptable protocols to administer compositions of the present invention include. individual dose size, number of doses, frequency of dose administration, and mode of administration. Determination of such protocols can be accomplished by those skilled in the art. A suitable single dose is a dose that is capable of protecting an animal from disease when administered one or more times over a suitable time period. For example, a preferred single dose of a protein, mimetope or antibody composition of the present invention is from about 1 microgram (μg) to about 10 milligrams (mg) of the composition per kilogram body weight of the animal. Booster doses can be administered from about 2 weeks to several years after the original administration. Booster administrations preferably are administered when the immune response of the animal becomes insufficient to protect the animal from disease. A preferred administration schedule is one in which from about 10 μg to about 1 mg of the composition per kg body weight of the animal is administered from about one to about two times over a time period of from about 2 weeks to about 12 months. Modes of administration can include, but are not limited to, injection, oral administration, inhalation, nasal administration, intraocular administration, anal administration, topical administration, particle bombardment, and intradermal scarification. Preferred injection methods include intradermal, intramuscular, subcutaneous, intravenous methods, with intradermal injection and intramuscular injection being more preferred. A particularly preferred method is mucosal administration.

According to one embodiment, a nucleic acid molecule of the present invention can be administered to an animal in a fashion to enable expression of that nucleic acid molecule into a protective protein or protective RNA (e.g., antisense RNA, ribozyme, triple helix forms or RNA drug) in the animal. Nucleic acid molecules can be delivered to an animal in a variety of methods including, but not limited to, (a) administering a nucleic acid not packaged in a viral coat or cell as a genetic vaccine (e.g., as “naked” DNA or RNA molecules with or without a non-viral/non-cellular carrier (e.g., liposome, hydrogel, etc.) or (b) administering a nucleic acid molecule packaged as a recombinant virus vaccine or as a recombinant cell vaccine (i.e., the nucleic acid molecule is delivered by a viral or cellular vehicle).

A genetic vaccine of the present invention includes a recombinant molecule of the present invention. As such, a genetic vaccine comprises at least one isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding an immunogenic T. gondii protein operatively linked to a eukaryotic or prokaryotic transcription control region. A genetic vaccine can be either RNA or DNA, can have components from prokaryotic as well as eukaryotic sources, and can have the ability, by methods described herein, to enter either eukaryotic or prokaryotic cells and direct expression of isolated nucleic acid molecules of the present invention in those cells. In a preferred embodiment, a genetic vaccine of the present invention includes a recombinant virus genome (i.e., a nucleic acid molecule of the present invention ligated to at least one viral genome in which transcription of the nucleic acid molecule is directed either by a transcription control region on the genome or a separate transcription control region) or a recombinant plasmid that includes a nucleic acid molecule of the present invention ligated into a vector that is not a viral genome such that the nucleic acid molecule is operatively linked to a transcription control region.

A genetic vaccine of the present invention includes a nucleic acid molecule of the present invention and preferably includes a recombinant molecule of the present invention that preferably is replication, or otherwise amplification, competent. A genetic vaccine of the present invention can comprise one or more nucleic acid molecules of the present invention in the form of, for example, a dicistronic recombinant molecule. Preferred genetic vaccines include at least a portion of a viral genome (i.e., a viral vector) and a nucleic acid molecule of the present invention. Preferred viral vectors include those based on alphaviruses, poxviruses, adenoviruses, adeno-associated viruses, herpesviruses, picornaviruses, and retroviruses, with those based on alphaviruses (e.g., Sindbis virus or Semliki forest virus), picornaviruses (e.g., poliovirus or mengovirus), species-specific herpesviruses and poxviruses being particularly preferred. Any suitable transcription control sequence can be used, including those disclosed as suitable for protein production. Particularly preferred transcription control sequences include cytomegalovirus immediate early (preferably in conjunction with Intron-A), Rous sarcoma virus long terminal repeat, and tissue-specific transcription control sequences, as well as transcription control sequences endogenous to viral vectors if viral vectors are used. The incorporation of a “strong” polyadenylation signal is also preferred.

Genetic vaccines of the present invention can be administered in a variety of ways, with intramuscular, subcutaneous, intradermal, transdermal, intraocular, intranasal and oral routes of administration being preferred. A preferred single dose of a genetic vaccine ranges from about 1 nanogram (ng) to about 600 μg, depending on the route of administration and/or method of delivery, as can be determined by those skilled in the art. Suitable delivery methods include, for example, by injection, by gene gun, as drops, as inhaled aerosols, ingested in microparticles or microcapsules, and/or topical delivery. Genetic vaccines of the present invention can be contained in an aqueous excipient (e.g., phosphate buffered saline) alone or in a carrier (e.g., lipid-based vehicles).

A recombinant virus vaccine of the present invention includes a recombinant molecule of the present invention that is packaged in a viral coat and that can be expressed in an animal after administration. Preferably, the recombinant molecule is packaging- or replication-deficient and/or encodes an attenuated virus. A number of recombinant viruses can be used, including, but not limited to, those based on alphaviruses, poxviruses, adenoviruses, herpesviruses, picornaviruses, and retroviruses. Preferred recombinant virus vaccines are those based on alphaviruses (e.g., Sindbis virus), picornaviruses (e.g., poliovirus, mengovirus), raccoon poxviruses, species-specific herpesviruses and species-specific poxviruses. An example of methods to produce and use alphavirus recombinant virus vaccines are disclosed in PCT Publication No. WO 94/17813, by Xiong et al., published Aug. 18, 1994, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

When administered to an animal, a recombinant virus vaccine of the present invention infects cells within the immunized animal and directs the production of a protective protein or RNA nucleic acid molecule that is capable of preventing a cat from shedding oocysts as disclosed herein. For example, a recombinant virus vaccine comprising a nucleic acid molecule encoding an immunogenic T. gondii protein of the present invention is administered according to a protocol that results in the subject cat producing a sufficient immune response to inhibit shedding T. gondii oocysts. A preferred single dose of a recombinant virus vaccine of the present invention is from about 1×10⁴ to about 1×10⁸ virus plaque forming units (pfu) per kilogram body weight of the animal. Administration protocols are similar to those described herein for protein-based vaccines, with subcutaneous, intramuscular, intraocular, intranasal and oral administration routes being preferred.

A recombinant cell vaccine of the present invention includes recombinant cells of the present invention that express at least one protein of the present invention. Preferred recombinant cells for this embodiment include Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria, Mycobacterium, S. frugiperda, yeast, (including Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Pichia pastoris), BHK, CV-1, myoblast G8, COS (e.g., COS-7), Vero, MDCK and CRFK recombinant cells. Recombinant cell vaccines of the present invention can be administered in a variety of ways but have the advantage that they can be administered orally, preferably at doses ranging from about 10⁸ to about 10¹² cells per kilogram body weight. Administration protocols are similar to those described herein for protein-based vaccines. Recombinant cell vaccines can comprise whole cells, cells stripped of cell walls or cell lysates.

The efficacy of a composition of the present invention to inhibit oocyst shedding caused by T. gondii can be tested in a variety of ways including, but not limited to, detection of protective antibodies (using, for example, proteins or mimetopes of the present invention), detection of cellular immunity within the treated animal, or challenge of the treated animal with T. gondii to determine whether the treated animal is resistant to oocyst shedding. Challenge studies can include direct administration of T. gondii tachyzoites or tissue cysts or sporulated oocysts (the infective stages) to the treated animal. In one embodiment, compositions of the present invention can be tested in animal models such as mice. Such techniques are known to those skilled in the art.

One preferred embodiment of the present invention is the use of immunogenic T. gondii proteins, nucleic acid molecules encoding immunogenic T. gondii proteins, antibodies and inhibitors of the present invention, to inhibit a cat from shedding oocysts. It is particularly preferred to prevent intestinal stages of the parasite from developing into oocysts. Preferred compositions are those that are able to inhibit at least one step in the portion of the parasite's development cycle that occurs in the intestines prior to the development of oocysts. In cats infected with tissue cysts, for example, the prepatent period for oocyst shedding is three to five days. When cats are infected with sporulated oocysts, for example, the prepatent period can range from 19 to 45 days. Particularly preferred compositions useful for inhibiting oocyst shedding in a cat infected with T. gondii include T. gondii-based compositions of the present invention. Such compositions include nucleic acid molecules encoding immunogenic T. gondii proteins, immunogenic T. gondii proteins and mimetopes thereof and anti-T. gondii antibodies. Compositions of the present invention are administered to cats in a manner effective to inhibit the cats from shedding T. gondii oocysts. Additional protection may be obtained by administering additional protective compounds, including other T. gondii proteins, nucleic acid molecules and antibodies, as disclosed herein.

It is also within the scope of the present invention to use isolated proteins, mimetopes, nucleic acid molecules and antibodies of the present invention as diagnostic reagents to detect infection by T. gondii. These diagnostic reagents can further be supplemented with additional compounds that can specifically detect any or all phases of the parasite's life cycle. General methods to use diagnostic reagents in the diagnosis of disease are known to those skilled in the art. A method or a kit for the detection of T. gondii infection could be combined with reagents for the detection of additional infectious agents, for example viruses (e.g. Coronaviruses), bacteria (e.g. Campylobacter, Clostridium, Salmonella), protozoa (e.g. Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Isospora, Hammondia, Sarcocystis, Besnoitia, Microsporidium), and/or multi-cellular organisms (e.g. Teania, Anclostoma, Toxocara, Physaloptera, Paragonimus, Strongyloides, Trichuris).

Another embodiment of the present invention is a method to detect microscopic parasite cysts or oocysts in feces using PCR amplification techniques. By microscopic, it is meant cysts or oocysts that are too small to be conveniently detected by simple visual observation of the feces. Preferred organisms to be detected include oocysts from infectious protozoan parasites including members of the apicomplexa and others including, for example, Toxoplasma, Cryptosporidium, Isospora, Giardia, Eimeria, Hammondia, Sarcocystis, Besnoitia, Microsporidium. Additional infectious agents to detect include, for example, viruses (e.g. Coronaviruses), bacteria (e.g. Campylobacter, Clostridium, Salmonella), and/or multi-cellular organisms (e.g. Teania, Anclostoma, Toxocara, Physaloptera, Paragonimus, Strongyloides, Trichuris). Particularly preferred oocysts to be detected include Toxoplasma and Cryptosporidium oocysts. Preferred cysts to be detected include any cysts capable of binding to a solid support and remaining bound to the support through a washing step. Preferred cysts include Giardia cysts. According to this embodiment of the invention, a solid support that is capable of binding cysts or oocysts is contacted with a sample of feces, which may or may not have been partially solubilized first in an aqueous solution, and the sample of feces is allowed to dry on the support. The solid support can be of any material to which the cysts or oocyts will bind and remain bound during washing in an aqueous solution. The support can comprise one or more compounds that aid in PCR amplification of the sample, for example by allowing the inhibitors to be released in the wash step, or by binding inhibitors of PCR that are not released in the elution step, or by otherwise inactivating inhibitors of PCR amplification. Preferred supports comprise a paper substrate to which the oocysts or cysts can bind. Preferred supports include IsoCodeJ™ Stix, or their equivalent, S&S® #903™, or their equivalent, or Nobuto Blood Filter Strips, or their equivalent. The support, or the portion of the support contacted with the sample of feces, is preferably small enough to fit into a container convenient for the wash step; eg., a size that will fit into a 1.5. ml conical centrifuge tube. The portion of the support that is contacted with the sample of feces can be removed from the rest of the support in order to achieve a convenient size. The portion of the support that includes the dried sample of feces is then washed with an aqueous solution. In a preferred embodiment the aqueous solution is water, preferably distilled water. The solution can comprise one or more compounds that aid in PCR amplification of the sample, for example by inactivating or removing inhibitors of PCR amplification. DNA associated with the sample is eluted by adding an aqueous solution to the support and then heating the solution to a temperature sufficient to elute DNA from the sample, into the solution. In a preferred embodiment, the aqueous solution into which the sample is eluted is water, preferably distilled water. This solution can comprise one or more compounds that aid in PCR amplification of the sample, for example by inactivating inhibitors of PCR amplification, or by improving reaction conditions for the PCR reaction. The heating step comprises heating to a temperature sufficient to elute DNA from the sample. A preferred temperature is approximately 95° C. Oocyst or cyst-specific DNA in the elution solution is then PCR amplified using primers specific to the oocysts or cysts being detected. The amplification products indicative of oocysts or cysts are then detected using any means available for the detection of PCR amplification products. These can include, for example, separation and observation of the PCR products on a gel, or detection and/or quantification by PCR ELISA. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, nucleic acid molecules of the present invention are used for the detection of T. gondii oocysts in cat feces by PCR amplification using nucleic acid molecules of the present invention as primers. According to the present invention, detection of oocysts can be accomplished by direct analysis of feces. Methods to conduct such an assay are described further in the Examples section.

The following examples are provided for the purposes of illustration and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

EXAMPLES

It is to be noted that the examples include a number of molecular biology, microbiology, immunology and biochemistry techniques considered to be familiar to those skilled in the art. Disclosure of such techniques can be found, for example, in Sambrook et al., ibid. and Ausubel, et al., 1993, Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Greene/Wiley Interscience, New York, N.Y., and related references. Ausubel, et al, ibid. is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. DNA sequence analysis and protein translations were carried out using the DNAsis program (available from Hitachi Software, San Bruno, Calif.) or MacVector program (available from International Biotechnologies, Inc., Hew Haven, Conn.). It should also be noted that since nucleic acid sequencing technology, and in particular the sequencing of PCR products, is not entirely error-free, that the nucleic acid sequences presented herein represent apparent nucleic acid sequences of the nucleic acid molecules encoding immunogenic T. gondii proteins of the present invention.

Example 1

This example discloses the construction of a T. gondii genomic expression library.

Pure mRNA from T. gondii parasite present in the infected cat gut cannot presently be obtained. Therefore, a true cDNA library for the gametogenic stages cannot be produced. In order to get around the unavailability of pure mRNA from gut stages of T. gondii, a genomic expression library in λgt11 was constructed using Toxoplasma genomic DNA obtained from tachyzoites produced in tissue culture. This library represented genes expressed at all stages of the Toxoplasma life cycle, including the gametogenic genes.

Construction of the library was modeled on procedures used previously for standard lambda cloning (see, for example, Sambrook, et al., ibid.). In brief, a series of high frequency cutting restriction enzymes were used to generate near random fragments of DNA representing the tachyzoite genome. DNA fragments of approximately 500 to 2000 bp were size selected and then inserted in frame with the expressed fusion protein in λgt11. Construction of this library is described in greater detail below.

Standard Production of Tachyzoites from liquid nitrogen stocks: Liquid nitrogen stocks of Toxoplasma tachyzoites (TZ) (1 ml samples at 2–4×10⁶ TZ/ml) were thawed in a 37° C. waterbath. The samples were thawed completely without attaining 37° C. Room temperature TMM (DMEM+3% FBS+0.1 ml 50 mg/ml gentamicin per 100 ml media) was added to the thawed sample according to the following timetable: 0.3 ml added at 0 minutes; 0.6 ml added at 5 minutes; 1.5 ml added at 10 minutes. The samples were maintained at room temperature for 5 minutes longer, then centrifuged for 10 minutes at 2,000 RPM at room temperature. The supernatant was discarded and the pellet resuspended in 12 ml of TMM.

Human foreskin fibroblasts (HSF)cells (ATCC CRL 1637) were infected with the thawed tachyzoites as follows: Passage 15–25 HSF cells were split 1:3 and grown to confluence in a T75 flask with DMEM+10% FBS (fetal bovine serum, available from Summit Biotechnology, Fort Collins, Colo.)+0.1 ml gentamicin per 100 ml media in an incubator at 37° C. with 5% CO₂. HSF cells were infected by replacing the media with the thawed tachyzoites in TMM. Infections were allowed to progress until 30–50% of the cell monolayer was destroyed. The medium in the infected T75 flask was replaced with fresh TMM the day before harvesting tachyzoites for expansion of the culture.

Passage 19–25 HSF cells cultured in roller bottles (850 cm²), were split 1:3 and grown to confluence in a roller bottle incubator apparatus under conditions as described above. The medium from a single roller bottle was decanted and replaced with 100 ml of TMM. The cells in this roller bottle were then infected by adding medium from an infected T75 flask (described above). Infection was allowed to progress until 30–50% of the cell monolayer was destroyed. Fresh TMM was replaced in the infected roller bottle the day before using the supernatant to infect new HSF cells. Four new roller bottles with confluent HSF cells were each infected with 2.5×10⁷ tachyzoites harvested from a previously infected roller bottle. This cycle of infection of four roller bottles, for the purpose of tachyzoite production, was continued on a weekly basis.

Tachyzoite Purification: Extracellular tachyzoites were collected from tissue culture and concentrated. To collect and concentrate tachyzoites, media from roller bottles containing extracellular tachyzoites were poured into 50 ml conical tubes and centrifuged at 2,000 RPM for 10 minutes. The resulting pellets were pooled and the volume was brought up to 50 ml using TMM. The tachyzoites were diluted and counted using a haemacytometer, and then purified by either the CF-11 column method or the nucleopore method as follows:

CF-11 Method of Purifying Tachyzoites: 1.5 g of CF-11 (available from Whatman, Inc., Clifton, N.J.) was mixed throughly in 50 ml of DMEM (no FBS), then added to an econo-column chromatography column (available from Biorad, Hercules, Calif.) and allowed to settle, forming a flat bed. The stopcock was then opened and the excess DMEM was drained until ¼ inch of media remained above the bed. The column was washed by gently adding 50 ml of DMEM and then bringing the media level down to 1 inch above the CF-11 bed. The 50 ml of tachyzoites in TMM (prepared as described above) was then added to the column. The stopcock was opened and the tachyzoites were eluted at a rate of 1 drop/second and collected into 50 ml conical tubes on ice. The media was eluted to ¼ inch above the gel bed. Two additional 5 ml elutions were performed, followed by a 40 ml elution. The 100 ml total eluate was then centrifuged at 2,000 RPM for 10 minutes. The pellets were again pooled by resuspension in 50 ml of DMEM. The tachyzoites were counted and the final number of organisms determined. The tachyzoites were centrifuged at 2,000 rpm for 10 minutes, and the pellet resuspended in 1 ml of Hanks Balanced Salt Solution (HBSS). The tachyzoites were washed 3 times with 1 ml of HBSS by centrifugation at 5000 rpm for 5 minutes in an Eppendorf centrifuge. The pellets were stored at −70° C. until needed.

Nucleopore Method of Purifying Tachyzoites: 47 mm nucleopore units (available from Corning Costar Corp., Cambridge, Mass.) with a polycarbonate 3 um capillary pore membrane were assembled according to manufacturer's specifications. The nucleopore units were then placed on top of an open 50 ml conical tube. Five ml of DMEM was gently forced through the unit using a 30 cc syringe that connects to the top of the nucleopore unit. Twenty-five ml of the extracellular tachyzoite preparation collected from tissue culture in DMEM were passed through the unit by gently pushing on the 30 cc syringe. The maximum number of tachyzoites per nucleopore filter did not exceed 5×10⁸. Filtration was followed by 2, 5 ml washes of DMEM. The nucleopore-purified tachyzoites were then centrifuged at 2,000 RPM for 10 minutes, and the pelleted tachyzoites resuspended in 50 ml of DMEM. The number of tachyzoites was determined by counting in a hemacytometer. Following centrifugation at 2,000 rpm for 10 minutes, the pellet was resuspended in 1 ml HBSS. The tachyzoites were washed 3 times with 1 ml of HBSS by centrifugation at 5,000 rpm for 5 minutes in an Eppendorf centrifuge. The pellets were stored at −70° C. until needed.

Isolation of tachyzoite DNA: DNA from all sources (for example, DNA from Toxoplasma or mammalian tissue) was isolated using standard techniques that can be can be found, for example, in Sambrook et al, ibid. In particular, 2×10⁹ tachyzoites were resuspended in 10 ml of 10 mM Tris, pH 8, 0.1 M EDTA, 0.5% SDS and 20 μg/ml pancreatic RNase (available from Sigma Chemical Co., St. Louis, Mo.). After incubating for 1 hour at 37° C., 1 ml of 5M NaCl and 100 μl of 10 mg/ml proteinase K (available from Boehringer Mannheim Corp., Indianapolis, Ind.) was added and the solution incubated for 3 hours at 50° C. The solution was then extracted with phenol and the DNA precipitated with EtOH.

Preparation of Restricted and Size Selected DNA: Six, four-base recognition site restriction enzymes, Alu I, Mbo I, Msp I, Rsa I, Sau3A I, and Taq^(α)I, (available from New England Biolabs, Beverly, Mass.) and one six-nucleotide recognition site restriction enzyme, Dra I, were used to cut T. gondii genomic DNA to completion. Ten μg of tachyzoite DNA was digested to completion according to the manufacturer's recommended protocols for each enzyme. All seven digests of DNA were combined and electrophoresed on an 0.8% preparative agarose gel. The region of the gel representing double stranded DNA between 500 and 2000 bp was excised and the DNA recovered using a Gene Clean Kit (available from BIO 101 Inc., Vista, Calif.). The eluted DNA was quantitated using an ethidium bromide sensitivity assay on agarose, using calf thymus DNA as a standard. The DNA was then ethanol precipitated.

Addition of Linkers: Four pg of the digested and size selected DNA was then prepared for the addition of linkers by filling in the restriction site overhangs as follows: First, the DNA was resuspended into Klenow buffer, 0.2 mM dNTPs, and Kienow fragment (available from Boehringer Mannheim Biochemicals, Indianapolis, Ind.), and the reaction mix was incubated for 30 minutes at room temperature. The reaction was stopped by incubating the reaction mix at 65° C. for 10 minutes. The DNA was then methylated using standard conditions including 0.1 mM s-adenosylmethionine and 120 units of EcoR I methylase (available from Promega Corp., Madison, Wis.). Following reprecipitation with ethanol, the DNA pellet was dissolved in water and standard T4 DNA ligase buffer (see, for example, Sambrook, et al., ibid.). Three separate EcoR I linkers, constructed to allow three different reading frames (available from Stratagene, La Jolla, Calif.) were added along with T4 DNA ligase (available from Promega, Corp.) and incubated for 16 hours at 15° C. The solution was then diluted directly into EcoR I restriction buffer and EcoR I enzyme (available from Promega Corp.) and incubated at 37° C. for 2 hours. The DNA fragments were separated from the free linkers using a Sephacryl S-400 spin column. The recovered DNA was ethanol precipitated.

Ligation and Packaging of the Restricted DNA: The entire fraction of DNA obtained from the above reaction mixture was ligated into 1 μg of EcoR I-cut and phosphatase treated λgt11 arms (available from Stratagene) with T4 DNA ligase at 15° C. for 16 hours. The phage was then packaged, titered and amplified using the Gigapack® II Packaging system (available from Stratagene) according to the manufacturer's directions. The resulting library is referred to herein as the Toxoplasma or T. gondii genomic expression library or as the λgt11:Toxoplasma genomic expression library.

Example 2

This Example discloses a method of isolation of T. gondii nucleic acid molecules encoding immunogenic T. gondii proteins recognized by antisera specific for a Toxoplasma intestinal stage: oocysts. This Example further discloses recombinant nucleic acid molecules, proteins and cells of the present invention.

The final stage of T. gondii gametogony is the unsporulated oocyst. Antisera was raised directly against Toxoplasma oocysts. In addition to the antisera reacting with their respective immunogens, the ability of this antisera to react with T. gondii gametogenic stages in intestinal tissue sections from infected animals was assessed. When used in immunofluorescence assays conducted on infected cat gut samples, the anti-oocyst antisera reacted with various parasite structures in the ICG tissue sections, indicating some cross-reactivity with gametogenic stages. This antisera was made as follows.

Production of antibody to a Toxoplasma intestinal stage: oocysts: Oocysts from a wild type strain designated Maggie, a recent isolate from a cat with Toxoplasmosis (Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Colorado State University, 1993), were obtained from the feces of cats fed mouse brains from mice previously infected with the Maggie strain. The oocysts were purified by the standard method of repeated sugar flotation (described in Dubey, J. P. and Beattie, C. P.,(1988) Toxoplasmosis of Animals and Man, CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla.). The oocysts (3×10⁷) were vortexed vigorously in 2 ml of PBS, and then frozen and thawed four times using liquid nitrogen and a 37° C. water bath. Each thaw was followed with vigorous vortexing. The suspension was then sonicated for 20 seconds. The protein concentration of the sonicate was determined as described above, and the suspension stored at −70° until used.

The thawed oocyst suspension was mixed with Freunds Complete Adjuvant for the first injection and Freund's Incomplete Adjuvant for three subsequent boosts. The protein concentrations of each injection in the series were 9 ug, 50 ug, 90 ug, and 90 ug respectively, delivered at four week intervals. The single cat #1959 (designated Queen 4) used for production of antibody to unsporulated oocysts had been orally infected with 100 mouse brain-derived C strain tissue cysts one month before the initial protein injection. Serum obtained from this cat (designated herein as Q4-1959) was analyzed for the presence of antibody specific to T. gondii oocysts by Western blot and immunohistochemistry on a monthly schedule during the injection period.

Immunoscreening the λgt11:Toxoplasma Genomic Expression Library and Isolation of Toxoplasma-Specific Nucleic Acid Molecules Reactive with Antisera to Oocysts: Antisera Q4-1959 was used to isolate nucleic acid molecules herein designated OC-1, OC-2, OC-13, OC-14, OC-22, OC-23 as follows: E. coli Y1090 was infected with approximately 5×10⁶ plaque forming units (PFU) of the λgt11:Toxoplasma genomic expression library, and then evenly spread on 20 LB-amp agarose culture plates. The phage were allowed to grow for about four hours at 37° C. The plates were then overlayed with nitrocellulose filters impregnated with 10 mM isopropyl-B-D-thiogalactoside (IPTG) to induce the expression of the recombinant Toxoplasma protein. The induction proceeded for between 4 hours to overnight and then the filters were marked to establish orientation. The filters were removed and, following several washes in TBST (Tris-buffered saline (TBS)+Tween 20: 20 mM Tris, pH 7.5, 150 mM NaCl, 0.5% Tween-20), and an incubation in blocking solution (TBS+5% powdered milk), incubated with a 1:40 dilution of antisera Q4-1959 for about 3 hours at room temperature or overnight at 4° C. After 3 to 5 washes with TBST the filters were incubated with a 1:1000 dilution of alkaline phospatase (AP)-conjugated goat anti-cat IgG (available from Kirkegaard & Perry Laboratories Inc., Gaithersburg, Md.) at room temperature for two hours. The filters were washed two times with TBST and once with TBS. The color indicator was developed in AP buffer (100 mM Tris pH 9, 100 mM NaCl, 5 mM MgCl) containing 0.7% NBT (nitroblue tetrazolium) and 0.3% BCIP (5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl phosphate).

Plaques in the area corresponding to the positive signals were picked into SM buffer (50 mM Tris, pH 7.5, 100 mM NaCl, 8 mM MgSO₄, and 0.01% gelatin) and the phage replated at a lower density. The same screening procedure was repeated three or four times until a pure plaque was isolated. Of the approximately 5×10⁶ plaques screened in this manner, 6 nucleic acid molecules capable of expressing proteins recognized by antisera Q4-1959 were plaque purified.

Characterization of Immunogenic T. gondii Proteins Encoded by Nucleic Acid Molecules Selected from the T. gondii Genomic Expression Library:

The nucleic acid molecules identified as positive for expression of immunogenic T. gondii proteins by immunoscreening with antisera Q4-1959 were screened for expression of proteins reactive with intestinal secretions from immune cats. The production of immune intestinal secretions is described in detail in Example 6, below. Prior to being used for screening, pooled intestinal secretions were preabsorbed with E. coli lysates as follows. Individual cultures of E. coli Y1090 cells and XL-1 blue cells (available from Stratagene) were grown overnight in LB Amp medium at 37° C. The cells were harvested by centrifugation, then resuspended in PBS, pH 7.4. The cell suspensions were then frozen and thawed 3 times, using a dry ice-acetone bath and a 37° C. water bath, then sonicated on ice for 10 minutes. The protein concentrations of the resulting cell lysates were adjusted to approximately 20 mg/ml, then diluted 1:10 in PBS. Fresh nitrocellulose filters (82 mm) were coated with bacterial proteins by immersing them in the diluted E. coli lysates at room temperature for 1 hour. The filters were further incubated in a solution of 4% (w/v) powdered milk in PBS, pH 7.4 for 30 minutes. The filters were then washed with PBS three times for 10 minutes each at room temperature. Pooled immune cat intestinal secretions were diluted 1:20 with 4% (w/v) powdered milk in PBS, pH 7.4. The diluted secretions mixture was incubated with the E. coli lysate-treated filters at room temperature for 1 hour, at a ratio of 20 ml per six filters. The resulting absorbed immune intestinal secretions were used without further dilution to screen nucleic acid molecules identified as positive by immunoscreening as described below. Essentially the same protocol was followed when characterizing the proteins expressed by nucleic acid molecules isolated by immunoscreening with other antisera(as described below).

Plaque pure phage identified as positive by immunoscreening were diluted in SM buffer to approximately 50 PFU/3 μl. 3 μl of each clone was dropped onto an LB/Amp agar plate which was previously overlayed with top agar containing a 1:20 dilution of a fresh culture of E. coli Y1090 at mid-log growth. The plates were then incubated at 37° C. for 5 hours. IPTG-treated nitrocellulose filters were placed on the top agar and incubated for 5 hours. The filters were marked, washed in TBS buffer, pH 8.0 at room temperature for 15 minutes and then blocked with 4% (w/v) powdered milk in TBS for 30 minutes, at room temperature. The filters were incubated with absorbed intestinal secretions at 4° C. overnight. All further manipulations were at room temperature. The filters were washed in TBS buffer for 10 minutes, 3 times. The filters were incubated for 2 hours with a 1:300 dilution of horse radish peroxidase (HRP)-conjugated goat anti-cat IgA polyclonal antibody (available from Bethyl Laboratories Inc.) in TBS buffer. The filters were washed in TBS for 10 minutes, 3 times, then incubated with 4-chloro-1-naphthol substrate. Clones were judged to be either positive or negative by the intensity of the color reaction relative to wild type phage controls. The results of this assay are summarized in Table 2. Of the six nucleic acid molecules expressing proteins recognized by antisera Q4-1959, only OC-1 expressed a protein that was positive for reactivity to immune cat intestinal secretions.

TABLE 2 Nucleic Acid Molecules Selected with Cat Sera Specific to Unsporulated Oocysts ORIGINAL DETECTION EXPRESSION pDVAC REACTIVITY SEQ ID NO DESIGNATION ICG UCG TZ BZ pTrCHIS λCRO IN VITRO IN VIVO SERUM IS 70 OC-1   + +  +  + − ND ND ND ND + 72 OC-2   + − 2+  + + ND ND ND ND − 74 OC-13 2+ −  +  + + ND + + ND − 76 OC-14  + −  +  + − ND ND ND ND − 78 OC-22 2+ −  + 2+ + ND + + ND − 80 OC-23 2+ − 2+  + + ND ND ND ND −

Some of the nucleic acid molecules identified as positive by immunoscreening were also assessed for expression of proteins reactive with Mozart II (immune) sera. Reactivity was assessed by spotting the purified phage directly on a lawn of host E. coli and inducing the expression of protein encoded by the cloned DNA insert using IPTG-soaked filters, similar to the phage screening protocol. The filters were then probed with the Mozart II sera, in essentially the same manner as was used to select the plaque purified phage identified as positive by immunoscreening. The results of these assays are summarized in Table 2.

The Toxoplasma inserts in λgt11, herein referred to as λgt11:Toxoplasma nucleic acid molecules were sequenced either by direct sequencing, or by first subcloning the λgt11:Toxoplasma nucleic acid molecules into a cloning vector, then sequencing. Direct sequencing of each insert was performed as follows: the Toxoplasma-specific insert in λgt11 was PCR amplified under standard conditions well known in the art using a λgt11 forward primer (5′ GGTGGCGACGACTCCTGGAG 3′) designated SEQ ID NO:365, and a λgt11 reverse primer (5′ CCAGACCAACTGGTAATGGTAG 3′) designated SEQ ID NO:366, and the major PCR reaction product was separated from the rest of the PCR reaction products on a 1% agarose gel. The band representing the major PCR product was excised, and the gel slice was processed using the QIAquick kit (available from Qiagen Inc., Santa Clarita, Calif.) according to manufacturer's instructions in order to release the DNA. The isolated DNA fragment was sequenced under standard conditions using an ABI PRISM 377 automated DNA sequencer (available from Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif.). Each of the amplification primers were used separately as sequencing primers to obtain sequence from both directions.

Subcloning, then sequencing, was performed as follows: the Toxoplasma-specific insert was PCR amplified and gel purified as described above. The purified DNA was then cloned into a TA cloning vector (available from Invitrogen Corp., San Diego, Calif.) according to the manufacturer's instructions, and sequenced under standard conditions.

Sequence Analysis of Nucleic Acid Molecules Selected for Expression of Proteins Recognized by Antisera Q4-1959:

The nucleic acid molecules selected for expression of proteins recognized by antisera Q4-1959 were sequenced as described above. BLASTn and BLASTp homology searches were performed on these sequences using the NCBI GenBank™ non-redundant (nr) nucleotide (n) and amino acid (p) databases, and the dbEST (est) database as described above. The results of these searches are summarized in Table 3. Nucleic acid molecule OC-1 was sequenced again and some changes found between the first and second sequence. The resequenced nucleic acid molecule is referred to herein as OC-1-a.

TABLE 3 Homologies #P (N) < 1e−10 SEQ Size n vs n vs p vs TOP HITS HOMOLOGIES ID bp aa nr est nr Score Gene Name Size Clone/Match Identities % 19 718 99 — — — 21 441 147 — — — 23 428 142 — — — 26 304 101 — — — 28 284 95 — — — 30 690 230 — — — 32 313 54 — — — 34 389 65 — — — 36 548 183 — — — 82 604 112 — 2 — 1.20E−112 AA531653 TgESTzz29d08.r1 553 302–2/8–308 291–301 96 invivo Bradyzoite cDNA 446–345/8–109  84–102 82 590–489/8–109  82–102 80 349–135/129/342 122–214 57 493–418/129–204 51–76 67 137–16/5–126  69–122 56 3.10E−33 AA520213 TgESTzz43d05.s1 574 363–127/192–428 162–237 68 TgME49 invivo Bradyzoite 500–364/340–476 117–137 85 356–220/340–476 113–137 82 601–515/383–469 77/87 88 178–106/350–422 51–73 69 241–205/456–492 26–37 70 373–349/468–492 20–25 80 84 549 — 2 — 4.30E−35 520213 TgESTzz43d05.s1 574 113–249/340–476 121–137 88 TgME49 invivo Bradyzoite 257–403/340–486 123–147 83 2–105/373–476  93–104 89 409–530/348–469  84–122 68 96–120/468–492 20/25 80 1.50E−30 AA531653 TgESTzz29d08.r1 553 23–124/8–109  87–102 85 TgME49 invivo Bradyzoite 167–268/8–109  86/102 84 311–4128–109  77–102 75 120–195/129–204 54–76 71 85 270 90 — — — 87 306 102 — — — 89 804 268 — 2 — 6.80E−150 N82167 TgESTzy44c02.r1 613 247–498/2–253 245–252 97 TgRH tachyzoite cDNA 498–557/255–336 79–82 96 575–620/334–379 44–46 95 8.00E−40 AA012353 TgESTzz17b0.r1 380 671–780/1–100  99–100 99 TgME49 tachyzoite cDNA 769–804/98–133 35–36 97 91 867 289 — 1 — 1.00E−113 N81503 TgESTzy57e07.r1 343 329–541/97–309 211–213 99 TgRH tachyzoite cDNA 3–151/161–309 147–149 98 93 1424 164 — 2 — 2.40E−142 AA531653 TgESTzz29d08.r1 553 882–1086/8–212 198–205 96 TgME49 invivo bradyzoite 1078–1262/206–390 176–185 95 452–553/8–109  93–102 91 24–125/8–109  87–102 85 1.20E−33 AA520213 TgESTzz43d.s1 574 114–250/340–476 119–137 86 TgME49 invivo bradyzoite 684–820/340–476  117– 85 0137 849–1084/220–455 161–236 68 95 680 227 — 2 — 3.80E−149 AA520213 TgESTzz43d05.s1 574 3–352/127–476 343–350 98 TgME49 invivo Bradyzoite 237–493/220–476 202–257 78 1.50E−37 AA531653 TgESTzz29d08.r1 553 267–501/5–239 168–235 71 TgME49 invivo bradyzoite 411–512/8–109  86–102 84 97 296 99 — — — 99 723 53 — — — 101 270 90 — 1 — 4.50E−57 AA531653 TgESTzz29d08.r1 553 3–157/236–390 149–155 96 TgME49 invivo bradyzoite 80–187/283–390  77–108 71 63 417 139 — — — 65 416 138 — — — 67 500 — — 68 321 73 — — — 54 1233 — 1 4.50E−176 AA520348 TgESTzz69d04.r1 607 2–216/147–361 162–215 75 TgME49 invivo bradyzoites 161–407/144–390 239–247 96 408–577/390–559 156–170 91 55 411 60 — — — 57 441 118 — — — 59 491 34 — — 61 387 129 — — — 38 310 95 — — — 40 220 73 — — — 42 642 34 — 11 — 6.20E−190 AA519977 TgESTzz36d07.r1 653 385–150/199–434 221–236 93 TgME49 invivo bradyzoite 642–479/32–195 155–164 94 148–1/435–582 124–148 83 9.50E−162 AA520558 8.90E−122 AA531849 1.30E−117 AA520976 4.90E−106 AA274332 5.20E−102 W99585 8.10E−94 AA520425 8.40E−90 AA274257 1.70E−87 AA532000 5.00E−81 AA520339 2.10E−55 AA012063 44 381 27 — 9 — 4.70E−123 AA532000 TgESTzz46d07.r1 577 328–3/11–336 316–326 96 5.50E−116 AA520339 TgME49 invivo bradyzoites 1.60E−112 AA531849 1.70E−100 AA520425 3.20E−95 AA519977 1.60E−83 AA520558 6.80E−59 AA012063 4.00E−13 AA274257 7.40E−10 W99585 46 432 85 — 9 — 4.30E−124 AA520558 TgESTzz62b09.r1 441 207–430/91–314 224–224 100 TgME49 invivo bradyzoite 119–210/2–93 91–92 98 8.10E−120 AA532000 8.90E−113 AA520339 2.20E−110 AA531849 2.40E−97 AA520425 9.90E−94 AA519977 8.20E−53 AA012063 — — 8.20E−14 AA274257 1.50E−10 W99585 48 282 35 — — — 50 466 71 — 9 — 1.70E−125 AA520558 TgESTzz62b09.r1 441 119–418/2–316 314–315 99 1.30E−116 AA532000 TgME49 invivo bradyzoite 7.70E−110 AA520339 4.70E−106 AA531849 2.60E−97 AA520425 2.90E−95 AA519977 1.60E−55 AA012063 6.40E−14 AA274257 1.20E−10 W99585 52 539 20 — 8 — 9.50E−130 AA532000 TgESTzz46d07.r1 577 191–400/85–294 208–210 99 TgME49 invivo bradyzoites 108–190/1–83 80–83 96 397–443/290–336 46–47 97 9.00E−124 AA531849 2.50E−109 AA520339 2.90E−98 AA520425 7.70E−86 AA519977 8.30E−83 AA520558 4.40E−55 AA012063 6.30E−11 W99585 109 699 233 — — 100 2.70E−40 P46531 Notch protein homolog Homo 2444 36–72/658–694 19–37 51 sapiens 42–71/243–272 18–30 60 188–227/893–932 15–40 37 3.60E−40 A40043 1.60E−35 A36666 111 419 140 1 — 6 1.30E−28 P27951 IGA FC/beta antigen 1164 22–139/827–944  40–118 33 Streptococcus agalactiae 6–128/823–945  41–123 33 3.40E−28 FCSOAG 6.20E−22 A60234 113 303 101 — — — 115 696 232 — — — 117 173 58 — — — 119 369 123 — — — 121 566 61 1 — 2.80E−13 X60241 T. gondii mitochondria-like 1105 459–542/937–1020 69–84 82 REP2 1 2.90E−13 N61888 TgESTzy31c05.r1 253 542–460/167–249 68–83 81 123 616 205 — — — TgRH tachyzoite 125 762 254 — — 2 5.30E−12 d1017785 hypothetical protein: PE . . . 1749 5–96/1137–1228 32–92 34 7.10E−12 S14959 Synechocystis. 127 236 79 — — — 129 569 190 — — — 131 232 — — 132 276 92 — — — 134 309 103 — — — 136 534 178 — — — 139 327 109 — — — 141 444 148 — — — 143 928 19 — — — 70 513 171 — — 6 3.60E−15 S14959 proline-rich protein Triticum 378 10–149/192–331  46–140 32 3.60E−14 d1017785 aestivum 1.40E−13 160171 4.10E−13 1372954 4.20E−11 S20500 2.90E−10 Q15428 72 528 176 — — — 74 375 125 — — — 76 543 89 — 2 — 2.00E−72 N82029 TgESTzy39d03.r1 251 525–384/56–197 139–142 97 386–331/196–251 53–56 94 542–524/38–56 18–19 94 1.40E−49 W00112 TgESTzy77b07.r1 401 542–399/136–279 142–144 98 78 573 191 — — — 80 1835 612 — — — 9 657 219 — — 8 5.40E−31 P27951 IGA FC/beta antigen 1164 22–170/827–975  45–149 30 Streptococcus agalactiae 67–188/824–945  41–122 33 1.40E−30 FCSOAG 2.60E−22 A60234 4.90E−14 1620100 1.40E−12 Q01456 2.50E−10 JC4749 6.90E−10 d1014692 8.30E−10 703450 11 1029 273 1 — 5 1.70E−27 P27951 IGA FC/beta antigen 1164 22–170/827–975  45–149 30 6.70E−27 FCSOAG Streptococcus agalactiae 67–188/824–945  41–122 33 1.10E−20 A60234 7.80E−14 1620100 3.50E−12 Q01456 13 425 142 — — — 16 417 139 — — — 17 507 51 — 1 — 1.70E−51 N61591 TgESTzy18d02.r1 149 331–446/4–149 144–146 98 TgRH tachyzoite 103 503 62 — 1 — 1.70E−51 N61591 TgESTzy18d02.r1 149 331–446/4–149 144–146 98 TgRH tachyzoite 105 322 73 — — — 107 390 67 — — — 1 357 119 — — — 3 339 108 — — — 5 526 175 — 2 — 4.40E−65 W96667 TgESTzy98f02.r1 454 369–502/55–188 123–134 91 TgME49 tachyzoite 314–385/1–72 72–72 100 3.10E−43 AA037916 TgESTzy55c09.r1 385 372–502/2–132 128–131 97 TgRH tachyzoite 7 1478 381 — 5 — 4.60E−128 W96667 TgESTzy98f02.r1 454 864–1126/55–317 251–263 95 TgME49 tachyzoite 809–868/1–60 72–72 100 4.70E−119 AA037916 4.50E−43 N82635 1.20E−36 N96576 2.20E−36 N82193 Table 3 Legend:

Results of BLASTn and BLASTp search of the NCBI GenBank™ non-redundant (nr) nucleotide (n) and amino acid (p) databases, and the dbEST (est) database. The algorithm used was as described in S. F. Altschul, W. Gish, W. Miller, E. W. Myers, and D. J. Lipman, J. Mol. Biol. 215, 403–10 (1990) and the NCBI. From left to right: are the sequence identification number (SEQ ID No), the size of the nucleic acid molecule (Size) in either base pairs (bp) or amino acids (aa), the number of hits below the sum probability score of 1^(e-10) (# P(N)<1e-10), and a section of the hits with the highest homology (HOMOLOGIES). The homologies section is sub-divided to include the sum probability (Score) of the homology, the gene accession number (Gene), the name or identifier of the gene (Name), the size of the gene either in nucleotides, if it is a match in the BLASTn or amino acids if it is in the BLASTp (Size), the range of either nucleotides or amino acids in which a match was identified in the clone versus the match in the database (Clone/Match), the number of identities compared with the range matched (Identities), and the percentage homology of the match (%). A dash (-) indicates the search was done and there were no matches.

RT-PCR Analysis of Nucleic Acid Sequences Encoding Immunogenic T. gondii Proteins:

The sequence data obtained as described above were used to design unique primers specific to each nucleic acid molecule of the present invention. These primer sequences are listed in Table 4.

TABLE 4 Nucleic Acid Molecules Primer Sequences ORIGINAL BASE PAIR SEQ ID NO. DESIGNATION NAME PRIMER SEQUENCE NUMBERS 144 145 Tg-41 (5′) nTG1 CGCTTCTTGTGTCACGTG  1–18 146 Tg-41(3′) nTG1 GCACCTTGTTCTCTCTCTTCGCC 317–295 147 Tg-45-2T (5′) nTG2 CGAGGAGACGGTGGGAGC  1–18 148 Tg-45-2T (3′) nTG2 TGCCCAAGATGCCGATCTCTG 289–269 149 Tg-50 (5′) nTG4 TCTCCCCCATCGACGAAAAC  95–114 150 Tg-50(3′) nTG4 GCTCATTTCCTCCGCAATTTGG 456–435 151 Q2-4(5′) nTG5 AGCTGGCAGAAATACCAAAGCTC 67–90 152 Q2-4 (3′) nTG5 TGTCGGCAATACTGGGCATG 529–510 153 Q2-9 (5′) nTG6 ACTGGAGTGGAAAGTCTGGTTTTG 37–60 154 Q2-9 (3′) nTG6 GACGCAGAGAAGAAAGAAGAGCC 415–393 155 Q2-10 (5′) nTG7 TCCAAAACTGTCTCGTCTCCCC 165–186 156 Q2-10 (3′) nTG7 TCTGGATACGCCGTTCCTTTG 305–284 157 Q2-11 (5′) nTG8 GACATCTACCTGTGAGTGAACCAGG 50–74 158 Q2-11 (3′) nTG8 GTCAAAACCTTGCCAGCATCTC 475–454 159 4499-9 (5′) nTG9 TCCGACTGAATGACTACCTCTTTC 45–28 160 4499-9 (3′) nTG9 TCCGACCAAGTCCTCAGTGAAC 537–516 161 4604-2 (5′) nTG10 TGGGCATTTCCTGGAAGAGG 36–55 162 4604-2 (3′) nTG10 GAATCCATCTCGTGCAAAGGG 378–358 163 4604-3 (5′) nTG11 CAAGACACAGGGAAACGTTGG 102–122 164 4604-3 (3′) nTG11 GAAAGAATCGCACCTCCTCTCC 424–403 165 4604-5 (5′) nTG13 TTTGAGTCTAACCGCCGTATGTC 20–42 166 4604-5 (3′) nTG13 TCAGACGATTCTCCCATTGTACG 216–194 167 4604-10 (5′) nTG15 TCGACTTGGGTCCGATTGTTAG 43–64 168 4604-10 (3′) nTG15 GATCTTTTGCGTGACTTTGTCTGC 289–266 169 4604-17 (5′) nTG16 GAAGATGCTTGTCTTGTTCGGTTC 19–42 170 4604-17 (3′) nTG16 GAGGGGTTTCCTTCTTTATTGCC 178–156 171 4604-54 (5′) nTG17 TGTTGGACATCCCGAGCATC 23–42 172 4604-54 (3′) nTG17 GGTCCTTGTTTTTCAGGCGG 472–453 173 4604-62 (5′) nTG18 TCGTGCAGACAGTGAAGCAATG 35–56 174 4604-62 (3′) nTG18 TTTTGTCAGCACAGAGTGGCG 201–281 175 4604-63 (5′) nTG19 CGCAAGTGAGTTTTGGCTTTACC 15–37 176 4604-63 (3′) nTG19 CCTGGAAGAGATATGCAGACAC 389–368 177 4604-69 (5′) nTG21 TCACCGTTCGCTCTTCTTTCTC 12–33 178 4604-69 (3′) nTG21 CGACTGAAGCATGGATTGCC 367–348 179 AMX/I-5 (5′) nTG31 ACATATTCCTGAGGAGGAGTTCCC  82–105 180 AMX/I-5 (3′) nTG31 AACACACCTCCGACGACACCAC 447–426 181 AMX/I-6 (5′) nTG32 CTCGGCTTCTCCACATACAAGG  8–29 182 AMX/I-6 (3′) nTG32 GGATCTAGGGATTTGGGTTTCAC 411–389 183 AMX/I-7 (5′) nTG33 ATCGAAGAAGCTGAAGCGGAG  4–24 184 AMX/I-7 (3′) nTG33 GTGCTTGTCTCTGACGAAACCC 193–172 185 AMX/I-9 (5′) nTG34 TATCATTGTATCCCGTCGTCCC 47–68 186 AMX/I-9 (3′) nTG34 TGATGCCTGGATTTGCACAAC 363–343 187 AMX/I-10 (5′) nTG35 CGGATCGCTCTGAGTCTCTTTG  1–22 188 AMX/I-10 (3′) nTG35 ATCCTGTGTCTTCTCTTCGACCC 384–362 189 AMI-23 (5′) nTG36 GATCGCTCTGAGTCTCTTTG  88–110 190 AMI-24 (5′) nTG37 ACGTGAGGGAGAAGAAGAGAGTGC 21–44 191 AMI-24 (3′) nTG37 TTCATCGTCGCCTCTGATGTCC 347–326 192 AMI-28 (5′) nTG38 TGTAGACAGCGTTTAGGGAGTGC 21–43 193 AMI-28 (3′) nTG38 GTCCTTGGAAGTGCAGAAGCAG 440–419 194 AMI-47 (5′) nTG40 AAGCGAGGAAAAGGAGGTGTC  95–115 195 AMI-47 (3′) nTG40 CGGGAAGGTTGGTGATGTCTGTG 252–230 196 OC-1 (5′) nTG41 CCCGAAGACTTTGACCTG 34–51 197 OC-1 (3′) nTG41 AGTGGCATAGGAGGCTGG 191–174 198 OC-2 (5′) nTG42 GCACCTTCAATGCCACAGGTATC  90–112 199 OC-2 (3′) nTG42 TCGTGTGCTTCTCGCTTCTCTG 484–463 200 OC-13 (5′) nTG43 CACTGTCGATCAGAAGAAGGCTTAC  84–108 201 OC-13 (3′) nTG43 GCTCCGTGGGCACATTTTTG 367–348 202 OC-14 (5′) nTG44 CAGTTTACGAGGTACAAGGCAACAG  9–33 203 OC-14 (3′) nTG44 GATTGCGTGGGCAGTGTAGAAG 237–216 204 OC-22 (5′) nTG45 TGTTTGTTTCCCCAGTCAACGAC  89–111 205 OC-22 (3′) nTG45 CGGAAGAGGTTGTTGGACTCCTTC 570–547 206 OC-23 (5′) nTG46 CAACCGAGAGAGAAGAGAGGAACAG 62–86 207 OC-23 (3′) nTG46 TGGGGAGAACAGCAGACATCAG 602–581 208 4CQA11 (5′) nTG49 GGATGAACACTGGTGCATCATG  6–27 209 4CQA11 (3′) nTG49 CGACTTGGTCCGCTC 270–256 210 4CQA19 (5′) nTG50 CGGCGGCAACAAATGGGC  1–18 211 4CQA19 (3′) nTG50 GTCCGAGATATGAGGATGCGAC 129–108 212 4CQA21 (5′) nTG51 TCAGAGCACCATTGTTGCGAC 39–59 213 4CQA21 (3′) nTG51 TTTGACGCTCAAGTGGAGGCTG 556–535 214 4CQA22 (5′) nTG52 GCCTGCAACGCTCGATGGC 615–633 215 4CQA22 (3′) nTG52 CTTCTTGACTACCTTCACGTCTG 810–788 216 4CQA24 (5′) nTG53 AAGGACAAGCCTGGTTTG 283–300 217 4CQA24 (3′) nTG53 TTTGCCCTTCGCACAATC 1130–1113 218 4CQA25 (5′) nTG54 CCAGTTTTGCCAGAGGAAGACC  82–103 219 4CQA25 (3′) nTG54 ATCCGTCAATGCAGGTTTCATC 459–438 220 4CQA26 (5′) nTG55 AGACACCAGAGACAGCAGCAGTC 45–67 221 4CQA26 (3′) nTG55 ACTTCGCCCGACAATCGCTTTCC 266–244 222 4CQA27 (5′) nTG56 CGATCCTCCCGAGGGACC  1–18 223 4CQA27 (3′) nTG56 GCCTTTACGCATTCAAGTCGTG 174–153 224 4CQA29 (3′) nTG57 TTCAGCGGGTCTTTCCTCAC 129–110 225 R8050-2 (5′) nTG58 CAACGAGAAAGATGGAGCTTCG 34–55 226 R8050-2 (3′) nTG58 AACTTCTTGCACTTGGTCCCG 404–384 227 R8050-5 (5′) nTG60 AAGCGAGGAAAAGGAGGTGTCTC  95–118 228 R8050-5 (3′) nTG60 GGAAGGTTGGTGATGTCTGTG 250–230 229 R8050-6 (5′) nTG61 TCCCCCAGGAATTGTTGAAACAG  8–30 230 R8050-6 (3′) nTG61 ACTACCGACAACGTCTCAGTCCTTC 254–230 231 M2A1 (5′) nTG62 CGTGCGTCTGTGAGGAAAAGTG  2–23 232 M2A1 (3′) nTG62 TTGTTGCTCGTGTTGCAGGTGC 341–320 233 M2A3 (5′) nTG64 TTGTTCTCGAACCCGCAGAG 74–93 234 M2A3 (3′) nTG64 TGGCAAGAGACCGAATCGTG 235–216 235 M2A4 (5′) nTG65 AAACTTGGCAAAGGGGAACG 49–68 236 M2A4 (3′) nTG65 TGCTGTGGAGAATGATGGCTG 483–463 237 M2A5 (5′) nTG66 TTTCCGACGAAGCTGCC 25–41 238 M2A5 (3′) nTG66 GACTCCAACGAAAGCCTCG 144–126 239 M2A6 (5′) nTG67 GGAAAGGGATAAAGACGCCG 150–169 240 M2A6 (3′) nTG67 AAGCAGAGGAGAGACGAGACGAAG 337–314 241 M2A7 (5′) nTG68 CTGCACCATTTCTCACTTCTTGTG 57–80 242 M2A7 (3′) nTG68 GCAAAAGCGGACTCGATTCTATTG 192–169 243 M2A11 (5′) nTG69 TGTGGCAGAGCAAAAGGCTC 12–31 244 M2A11 (3′) nTG69 CTGTGGATGCTCCTTTGCGAGT 406–385 245 M2A16 (5′) nTG70 CGAGGCACCCGAAGAATTTG 195–214 246 M2A16 (3′) nTG70 CTTCTCAGGTTCACTTCCTGCG 759–738 247 M2A18 (5′) nTG71 TCACGCAACGAACAAGTCCTC 42–62 248 M2A18 (3′) nTG71 CCCATTTTTGCTTGGCTTGC 149–130 249 M2A19 (5′) nTG72 AGCGGCAAACCAGTTCGTTG 283–302 250 M2A19 (3′) nTG72 CACCACCTTTTTCGTTGCGG 558–539 251 M2A20 (5′) nTG73 CGGCGACTCAGATGGG  1–16 252 M2A20 (3′) nTG73 GGGGCTGTGTCTTCTCTATTTCG 131–109 253 M2A21 (5′) nTG74 AAGCAAACAGGCTCGGAAGC 127–146 254 M2A21 (3′) nTG74 TCATGTTGGAGGCGTCGTTC 241–222 255 M2A22 (5′) nTG75 TGTGCAGTGGAGGAGAAATGG 50–70 256 M2A22 (3′) nTG75 GAATCAGGGTGTTTTAGGGCG 284–264 257 M2A23 (5′) nTG76 ATTCTGTGCAAGCCCAGAG 305–323 258 M2A23 (3′) nTG76 CGACCAAGGGTGTTGACCAT 136–155 259 M2A24 (5′) nTG77 CTAGGCAAAGAAACACCCATGC 226–247 260 M2A24 (3′) nTG77 CGCTGGAACTCCTGACAC 327–310 261 M2A25 (5′) nTG78 ACGAAGGGAGAGATGCGTTTG 59–79 262 M2A25 (3′) nTG78 TGGCTGTTTGGGTTGTCTGG 392–373 263 M2A29 (5′) nTG79 TCACCGCAGAACTTAACCCG 62–81 264 M2A29 (3′) nTG79 CTCGCTTTTCCAGCTTGTCG 249–230 Table 4 Legend:

Primer Sequences to Nucleic Acid Molecules. The original name (Original Designation) and the present name (Name) for each nucleic acid molecule are listed in the second and third columns. Separate 5′ and 3′ primer sequences are listed for the nucleic acid molecules under Primer Sequence. Identification of each primer sequence as 5′ or 3′ is shown in the column labeled Original Designation. The location of each primer sequences in its respective nucleic acid molecule is shown in the column, Base Pair Numbers. The sequence identification number for each primer is listed in the first column (Seq ID NO).

The unique primers listed in Table 4 were used in reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays to assess the expression of the particular nucleic acid sequence in ICG, bradyzoites and tachyzoites. DNA templates were generated from total or poly A+ RNA using an RT-PCT kit (available from Stratagene) according to the manufacturer's instructions. The resulting DNA templates were then amplified by standard PCR reaction. The RT-PCR reactions were performed using RNA isolated from infected cat gut (ICG), bradyzoites (BZ), tachyzoites (TZ), and the appropriate controls (e.g., uninfected cat gut (UCG) RNA). In addition to UCG controls, clone-specific primers were used in PCR reactions using DNA from the following sources: T. gondii, mouse cells, cat intestinal cells, and human cells. These results are summarized in Table 2.

Subcloning T. gondii Nucleic Acid Molecules Encoding Immunogenic T. gondii Proteins into the Expression Vector pTrcHisB:

T. gondii nucleic acid molecules encoding immunogenic T. gondii proteins isolated as described above were subcloned into the expression vector pTrcHisB (available from Invitrogen Corp., San Diego, Calif.). The vector pTrcHisB is designed for expression of fusion proteins in E. coli and purification of proteins encoded by nucleic acid molecules of interest. Expression of fusion proteins from this vector was assessed following induction and subsequent Western blot analysis of the E. coli lysates using both a monoclonal antibody to the T7 phage amino acid tag sequence and the original sera used to select the nucleic acid molecule. The fusion proteins all contain a poly histidine amino acid sequence which was used to purify the fusion proteins using metal chelate chromatography.

Recombinant molecules containing nucleic acid sequences encoding immunogenic T. gondii proteins were produced by PCR amplifying plaque purified λgt11:Toxoplasma nucleic acid molecules using a λgt11 forward primer, SEQ ID NO:365 and a λgt11 reverse primer, SEQ ID NO:366. Amplifying the Toxoplasma inserts in this way produced DNA fragments with EcoR I sites at the junctions between the Toxoplasma insert and the lambda vector. These PCR fragments were then digested with the restriction endonuclease EcoR I, gel purified and subcloned into the EcoR I-cleaved expression vector, pTrcHisB. The resultant recombinant molecules were transformed into DH5a competent cells to form recombinant cells, and assayed for the expression of an immunogenic T. gondii protein. The results of these assays are summarized in Table 2.

The recombinant cells were cultured in enriched bacterial growth medium containing 0.1 mg/ml ampicillin and 0.1% glucose at about 37° C. When the cells reached an OD₆₀₀ of about 0.4–0.5, expression of recombinant proteins was induced by the addition of 0.5 mM isopropyl-B-D-thiogalactoside (IPTG), and the cells were cultured for about 4 hours at about 37° C. Immunoblot analysis of the recombinant cell lysates using a T7 tag monoclonal antibody (available from Novagen Inc., Madison, Wis.) directed against the fusion portion of the recombinant Toxoplasma fusion protein was used to confirm the expression of the fusion proteins and to identify their size. In addition, the original selecting antisera were used to determine whether the recombinant expression molecule expressed a protein that could be recognized by the sera originally used to isolate the Toxoplasma-specific portion of the recombinant molecule. The results of these immunoblot assays are summarized in Table 2. Of the six nucleic acid molecules selected by immunoscreening with antiserum raised against oocysts (Q4-1959 serum), six were positive by this immunoblot assay.

Example 3

This Example discloses a method of isolation of T. gondii nucleic acid molecules encoding immunogenic T. gondii proteins recognized by antisera raised against the initiating stage of T. gondii gametogony: the bradyzoite. This Example further discloses recombinant nucleic acid molecules, proteins and cells of the present invention.

Antibody to Bradyzoites: Purified C strain bradyzoites (3×10⁷) from mouse brain tissue cysts were used to generate stage-specific antibody to T. gondii as follows:

T. gondii C-strain tissue cysts containing bradyzoites were passaged in mice by harvesting tissue cysts from chronically infected mice that had been infected, either intraperitoneally with tachyzoites produced in vitro, or by oral gavage with tissues cysts. Between four and eight weeks post-infection, tissue cysts were harvested and used to inoculate naive mice. Harvest was accomplished by dissecting out the brains of infected mice euthanized by inhalation of CO₂. The brains were added to a tube of 30% Dextran in HBSS (Hanks Balanced Salt Solution, available from Life Technologies Inc. (Gibco/BRL), Gaithersburg, Md.), and placed on ice until further purified. Each tube contained a maximum of 8 brains per 20 ml of 30% Dextran solution. Tissue cysts were purified by homogenizing the brains for 20–30 seconds with a Tissuemizer (available from Tekmar-Dohrmann, Cincinnati, Ohio). The homogenized brains were centrifuged for 10 minutes at 3,300 g at 4° C. The supernatant was poured off and the pellet was resuspended in 2.0 ml of HBSS. The pellets from multiple tubes were combined and the tissue cysts were counted using a hemacytometer. To produce a new lot of chronically infected mice, tissue cysts purified as described above were diluted in HBSS to a concentration of 100 tissue cysts/ml. Mice were inoculated by oral gavage with 100 μl (10 tissue cysts). After six weeks there were approximately 600 tissue cysts per mouse.

Bradyzoites were purified from tissue cysts by pepsin digestion and passage through a CF-11 cellulose column. Pepsin digestion was initiated by adding approximately 1.0 ml of pepsin digestion fluid (0.5% pepsin, 0.17 M NaCl, and 1.16 M HCl) fluid per 1.0 ml of cyst suspension. The sample was incubated for 10 min in a 37° C. waterbath with occasional swirling. After incubation, approximately 0.9 ml of 0.5% sodium carbonate per 1.0 ml of sample was added slowly and with constant gentle mixing. The solution was then centrifuged for 10 minutes at 2,000 rpm. The supernatant was removed and the pellet resuspended in 5.0 ml of Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium.

1.2 g of CF-11 cellulose was added to 50.0 ml of DMEM, and then poured into a 50 ml chromatography column. The column was equilibrated by allowing most of the DMEM to wash out. The pepsin-digested bradyzoites were diluted with 45 ml of DMEM and loaded onto the column. The column was allowed to drip slowly and the flow through was collected. The column was washed with another 50 ml of DMEM and the flow through was again collected. The two 50 ml flow through aliquots were centrifuged at 2,000 rpm for 15 min. The supernatant was carefully removed and the bradyzoite pellet was resuspended in 1 ml of sterile PBS buffer. The number of bradyzoites obtained was determined by counting an aliquot using a hemacytometer.

Bradyzoites prepared as described above were lysed in a PBS, 0.001% Triton X-100 solution by freeze-thawing four times in liquid nitrogen and a 37° C. water bath. The resulting lysate was further treated by sonication for ten, 30 second bursts, while on ice. Following protein determination using a BCA Protein Kit (available from Pierce Biochemicals, Rockford, Ill.), the bradyzoite lysate was mixed with Freunds Complete and Freunds Incomplete Adjuvants for the first and subsequent (booster) injections respectively. The first injection of rabbit #2448 contained 46 mg of soluble protein, and the two following boosts contained 6 ug of soluble protein each. Injections were given subcutaneously at four week intervals, and serum, designated 2448, was collected every three weeks.

Antiserum 2448 was used to isolate nucleic acid molecules herein designated BZ1-2, BZ1-3, BZ1-6, BZ2-3, BZ2-5, BZ3-2, BZ4-3 and BZ4-6 as follows: E. coli Y1090 was infected with approximately 2×10⁵ PFU and then evenly spread on 4 LB-amp agarose culture plates. The rest of the screening procedure was as described for immunoscreening with antisera Q4-1959 (Example 2), with the following exceptions: the primary antibody was used at a 1:200 dilution, and the secondary antibody was a 1:1000 dilution of AP-conjugated goat anti-rabbit IgG. Of the 2×10⁵ plaques screened in this manner, 8 nucleic acid molecules capable of expressing proteins recognized by antisera 2448 were plaque purified.

Characterization of Immunogenic T. gondii Proteins Encoded by Nucleic Acid Molecules Selected from the T. gondii Genomic Expression Library:

The nucleic acid molecules identified as positive for expression of Toxoplasma stage-specific antigenic proteins by immunoscreening with antisera 2448 were screened for expression of proteins reactive with intestinal secretions from immune cats, as described above. The results of this assay are summarized in Table 5. None of the 8 nucleic acid molecules expressing proteins recognized by antisera 2448 were positive for reactivity to immune cat intestinal secretions in this assay.

TABLE 5 Nucleic Acid Molecules Selected with Rabbit Sera Specific to Bradyzoites ORIGINAL DETECTION EXPRESSION pDVAC REACTIVITY SEQ ID NO DESIGNATION ICG UCG TZ BZ pTrCHIS λCRO IN VITRO IN VIVO SERUM IS 38 BZ1-2 ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND − 40 BZ1-3 ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND − 42 BZ1-6 ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND − 44 BZ2-3 ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND − 46 BZ2-5 ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND − 48 BZ3-2 ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND − 50 BZ4-3 ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND − 52 BZ4-6 ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND − Table 5 Legend: See Legend for Table 2.

Sequence Analysis of Nucleic Acid Molecules Selected for Expression of Proteins Recognized by Antisera 2448:

The nucleic acid molecules selected for expression of proteins recognized by antisera 2448 were sequenced as described above. BLASTn and BLASTp homology searches were performed on these sequences using the NCBI GenBank™ non-redundant (nr) nucleotide (n) and amino acid (p) databases, and the dbEST (est) database as described above. The results of these searches are summarized in Table 3. Nucleic acid molecule BZ1-2 was sequenced again and some changes found between the first and second sequence. The resequenced nucleic acid molecule is referred to herein as BZ2-1-a.

Example 4

This Example discloses a method of isolation of T. gondii nucleic acid molecules encoding immunogenic T. gondii proteins recognized by rabbit antisera raised against infected cat gut. This Example further discloses recombinant nucleic acid molecules, proteins and cells of the present invention.

Production of rabbit antisera to infected cat gut: A pregnant female cat (designated Queen 2) (available from Liberty Laboratories, Liberty Corners, N.J.) was maintained in isolation and allowed to come to term. The kittens (4) were housed with the mother and nursed normally throughout the protocol. At day seven post-partum, one kitten was selected as the control and its intestine harvested as described below. The remaining kittens were infected orally with 5000 mouse brain-derived tissue cysts of the T. gondii strain C, by dripping a solution of the tissue cysts in 1 ml of PBS down the back of their throats. The infected kitten intestines were obtained and processed on day 7 post-infection. The Queen 2 was also infected orally at the same time and in a similar fashion using 100 tissue cysts of T. gondii C strain.

In order to obtain fresh intestine, the following procedure was used for both the control and infected animals. A kitten was first anesthetized by placing it in an inhalation chamber which was flooded with both isoflurane and oxygen until the animal was anesthetized. The kitten was then euthanized with an intravenous injection of commercial pentobarbital euthanasia solution at the recommended dose (88 mg/kg). The animal was immediately dissected to expose the small intestine. This was removed by excisions at the anterior junction with the stomach and the posterior junction with the large intestine. The intestine was opened by a single cut from the anterior to the posterior end, exposing the mucosal surface. The gut was then dipped sequentially into three separate washing baths containing cold HBSS (Hanks buffered saline solution) (available from Life Technologies Inc. (Gibco/BRL), Gaithersburg, Md.). The intestine was then placed flat on a chilled laminated sterile surface with the mucosal layer up. A single piece of dry nitrocellulose (BA85, available from Schleicher and Schuell Inc., Keene, N.H.) the length of the intestine, ranging in size from 40 to 70 cm long (this varied with the animal) and 5 mm wide, was carefully placed lengthwise on the mucosal surface of the intestine to obtain an impression smear of the villus epithelial cells. After the nitrocellulose strip became wet (approximately 30 seconds after application), the strip was carefully lifted off and allowed to air dry. The orientation of the anterior and posterior ends of the intestine and strip were noted. Forty biopsy samples, approximately 4 mm by 4 mm sections, were then taken from random positions throughout the length of the intestine, and immediately fixed in either methanol or gluteraldehyde, and maintained for further histological analysis. The intestine was then cut into ten equal sections, and each section placed in a separate bag, labeled and quick frozen in a dry ice and acetone bath. The intestinal sections were maintained at −70° until further processing.

Sections of the cat gut which contained T. gondii were identified using PCR analysis of the DNA captured by the nitrocellulose lift with primers specific to the T. gondii α-tubulin gene. The presence of T. gondii parasite infection was confirmed by histological analysis of the biopsy sections. Portions of T. gondii-positive cat gut sections were then prepared as follows for subsequent injections into rabbits to produce antibody directed toward major epitopes from T. gondii gametogenic stages. The same methods were also used to produce antibody in cats to infected cat gut preparations, as herein described (in Example 5). A piece of intestine approximately 2 mm by 20 mm was cut from five frozen sections of infected cat gut material. The pieces were maintained at 4° C., laid flat and the mucosal layer carefully scraped from the intestine wall and muscle layers using a razor blade. This material was then minced and placed in 5 ml of sterile PBS containing 1% nystatin, 10 μg/ml gentamicin, and 1% penicillin/streptomycin in a conical centrifuge tube. The mixture was brought through 4 cycles of a freeze-thaw treatment using liquid nitrogen and a 37° C. waterbath. The sample was vortexed between each cycle. The sample was placed on ice and then sonicated using a microtip for 20 seconds followed by 20 seconds on ice. This was repeated four times. The suspension was divided among four Eppendorf tubes and centrifuged (Eppendorf 5415C centrifuge, available from Brinkmann Instruments Inc., Westbury, N.Y.) at maximum speed for 30 minutes at 4° C. The supernatant was then put through a 0.22 micron filter and a protein determination performed using the BCA Protein Determination Kit (available from Pierce Chemical Co., Rockford, Ill.) according to the manufacturer's protocol. The sample was stored as small aliquots at −70° C. until used.

Polyclonal antisera against infected cat gut (ICG) antigens (also herein referred to as anti-ICG antiserum, or anti-ICG antibody) were prepared by immunization of New Zealand White rabbits with infected cat gut tissue protein as follows. Six rabbits were injected with the solubilized cat gut material; two rabbits (designated #4603 and #8049) were injected with solubilized material from uninfected cat gut, and 4 rabbits (designated #4604, #4499, #8050, and #8051) were injected with solubilized material from infected cat gut material. For the first injection, 0.5 mg of soluble protein, prepared as described above, was brought to 0.5 ml and mixed with an equal volume of Freunds Complete Adjuvant. This solution was delivered sub-cutaneously (SQ). The second injection, two weeks later, was identical to the first, except Freunds Incomplete Adjuvant was used. A third injection, twelve weeks after the first injection, was similar to prior injections except that the total amount of protein injected was 1.5 mg. The animals were pre-bled prior to the first immunization and were bled at approximately monthly intervals to monitor antibody responses. The blood was allowed to clot at room temperature and serum obtained by centrifugation. The sera were evaluated for the presence of antibody specific to T. gondii by both Western blot analysis using tachyzoite lysates and by indirect immunofluorescent antibody assay (section IFA) using histological sections obtained from infected cat intestine.

The rabbit antisera were preabsorbed to uninfected cat gut material prior to use in immunoscreening, either by absorbing the antisera to Sepharose beads to which solubilized uninfected cat gut material had been covalently linked, or by absorbing the antisera to nitrocellulose sheets to which uninfected cat gut protein was bound. Western analysis demonstrated that greater than 98% of the serum reactivity to uninfected cat gut was removed by preabsorption to the column. The remaining (unabsorbed) sera showed reactivity towards T. gondii tachyzoite lysates. The unabsorbed sera were used to screen the Toxoplasma genomic library.

Antisera 4604 was used to isolate nucleic acid molecules herein designated 4604-2, 4604-3, 4604-5, 4604-10, 4604-17, 4604-54, 4604-62, 4604-63 and 4604-69 as follows: Two separate immunoscreens were performed with this antisera, and Toxoplasma-specific nucleic acid molecules were isolated form each screen. In the first screen, E. coli Y1090 was infected with approximately 5×10⁴ PFU and then evenly spread on 10 LB-amp agarose culture plates. In the second screen, E. coli Y 1090 was infected with approximately 1.5×10⁶ PFU and then evenly spread on 12 LB-amp agarose culture plates. The rest of the screening procedure was as described for immunoscreening with antisera Q4-1959 (Example 2), with the following exceptions: the primary antibody was used at a 1:500 dilution, and the secondary antibody was a 1:500 dilution of AP-conjugated goat anti-rabbit IgG. Of the approximately 1.5×10⁶ plaques screened in this manner, 15 nucleic acid molecules capable of expressing proteins recognized by antisera 4604 were plaque purified.

Antisera 4499 was used to isolate nucleic acid molecule 4499-9 as follows: E. coli Y1090 was infected with approximately 5×10⁴ PFU and then evenly spread on 10 LB-amp agarose culture plates. The rest of the screening procedure was as described for immunoscreening with antisera Q4-1959 (Example 2), with the following exceptions: the primary antibody was used at a 1:200 dilution, and the secondary antibody was a 1:500 dilution of AP-conjugated goat anti-rabbit IgG. Of the 5×10⁴ plaques screened in this manner, 2 nucleic acid molecules capable of expressing proteins recognized by antisera 4499 were plaque purified.

Antisera R8050 (rabbit antisera raised against infected cat gut) was used to isolate nucleic acid molecules herein designated R8050-2, R8050-5, and R8050-6 as follows: E. coli Y1090 was infected with approximately 5×10⁶ PFU and then evenly spread on 10 LB-amp agarose culture plates. The rest of the screening procedure was as described for immunoscreening with antisera Q4-1959 (Example 2), with the following exceptions: the primary antibody was used at a 1:200 dilution, and the secondary antibody was a 1:1000 dilution of AP-conjugated goat anti-rabbit IgG (available from Kirkegaard Perry Laboratories). Of the 5×10⁶ plaques screened in this manner, 4 nucleic acid molecules capable of expressing proteins recognized by antisera R8050 were plaque purified.

Selected nucleic acid molecules identified by screening for the expression of proteins recognized by rabbit anti-ICG antisera were subcloned and sequenced as described in Example 2. The results of assays to characterize the isolated nucleic acid molecules are summarized in Table 6.

TABLE 6 Nucleic Acid Molecules Selected with Rabbit Sera Specific to Infected Cat Gut ORIGINAL DETECTION EXPRESSION pDVAC REACTIVITY SEQ ID NO DESIGNATION ICG UCG TZ BZ pTrCHIS λCRO IN VITRO IN VIVO SERUM IS 19 4499-9 + − + + ND + ND ND + + 21 46O4-2 + −  +  + ND + ND ND ND − 23 46O4-3 + −  +  − ND + ND ND ND − 25 46O4-5 − −  +  + ND − ND ND ND − 26 46O4-10 − −  +  + ND − ND ND ND − 28 46O4-17 + −  +  + ND − ND ND ND − 30 46O4-54 + −  − 2+ ND + ND ND ND − 32 46O4-62 + −  +  + + ND ND ND ND − 34 46O4-63 + −  +  + − ND ND ND ND − 36 4604-69 + − 2+  + ND + ND ND ND − 103 R8050-2 + − 2+  + + ND ND ND ND − 105 R8050-5 − −  +  − + ND ND ND ND − 107 R8050-6 + − 2+  − − ND ND ND ND − Table 6 Legend: See Legend for Table 2.

Sequence Analysis of Nucleic Acid Molecules Selected for Expression of Proteins Recognized by Rabbit Anti-ICG Antisera 4604, 4499 and R8050:

Nucleic acid molecules 4604-2, 4604-3, 4604-5, 4604-10, 4604-17, 4604-54, 4604-62, 4604-6, 4604-69, R8050-2, R8050-5, and R8050-6 were sequenced as described above. These nucleic acid molecules were sequenced as described above. BLASTn and BLASTp homology searches were performed on these sequences using the NCBI GenBank™ non-redundant (nr) nucleotide (n) and amino acid (p) databases, and the dbEST (est) database as described above. The results of these searches are summarized in Table 3., as described above. The results of these searches are summarized in Table 3.

The sequence data described above were used to design unique primers specific to each nucleic acid molecule of the present invention. These primer sequences are listed in Table 4. The unique primers listed in Table 4 were used in reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays to assess the expression of the particular nucleic acid sequence in ICG, bradyzoites and tachyzoites. The results of these assays are summarized in Table 6.

T. gondii nucleic acid molecules encoding immunogenic T. gondii proteins isolated by immunoscreening with rabbit anti-ICG antiserum were subcloned into either or both of two expression vectors: pTrcHisB (as described above) or Prcro/T2ori/RSET-B (described below). Expression of the fusion proteins from these vectors, and purification of their expressed fusion proteins, were as described above. The results of assays for the expression of recombinant immunogenic T. gondii proteins from these expression vectors is summarized in Table 6.

Recombinant nucleic acid molecules and protein molecules including sequences encoding T. gondii antigenic proteins and sequences from the vector Prcro/T2ori/RSET-B: Recombinant molecules containing T. gondii nucleic acid molecules operatively linked to lambda phage transcriptional control sequences and to a fusion sequence encoding a poly-histidine segment, were produced in the following manner. T. gondii DNA fragments in λgt11 were PCR amplified from nucleic acid molecules herein designated 4499-9, 4604-2, 4604-3, 4604-5, 4604-10, 4604-17, 4604-54, and 4604-69, using the λgt11 forward and reverse primers herein described. Recombinant molecules were produced by digesting the PCR product with EcoR I, gel purifying the resulting fragment, and subcloning into expression vector PRcro/T2ori/RSET-B (also referred to herein as λCRO) that had been cleaved with EcoR I and gel purified. Expression vector PRcro/T2ori/RSET-B contains the following nucleotide segments: An about 1990-bp Pvu II to Aat II fragment from pUC19 containing the ampicillin resistance gene and E. coli of replication; an about 1000-bp Pvu II to Bgl II fragment from pRK248cIts (available from American Type Culture Collection, Rockville, Md.) containing lambda transcriptional regulatory regions (including the gene encoding cI^(ts), the promoter P_(R), and a sequence encoding 22 amino acids of the cro protein); an about 60-bp Bgl II to Xba I fragment from pGEMEX-1 (available from Promega Corp.) which contains the T7 promoter; an about 166-bp Xba I to EcoR I fragment from pRSET-B (available from Invitrogen, San Diego Calif.) which contains sequences encoding the T7-S10 translational enhancer, the His₆ fusion, the 14-amino acid S10 leader fusion, and an enterokinase cleavage site as well as the multiple cloning site; and an about 210-bp EcoR I to Aat II fragment containing synthetic translational and transcription termination signals including the T₁ translation terminators in all three reading frames, an RNA stabilization sequence from Bacillus thurengiensis crystal protein and the T₂ rho-independent transcription terminator from the trpA operon. Expression vector PRcro/T2ori/RSET-B contains the following nucleotide segments. An about 1990-bp PvuII to AatII fragment from pUC19 containing the ampicillin resistance gene and E. coli of replication; an about 1000-bp PvuII to BglII fragment from pRK248cIts (available from American Type Culture Collection, Rockville, Md.) containing lambda transcriptional regulatory regions (including the gene encoding cI^(ts), the promoter P_(R), and a sequence encoding 22 amino acids of the cro protein); an about 60-bp BglII to XbaI fragment from pGEMEX-1 (available from Promega Corp., Madison Wis.) which contains the T7 promoter; an about 166-bp XbaI to EcoRI fragment from pRSET-B (available from Invitrogen Corp., San Diego Calif.) which contains sequences encoding the T7-S10 translational enhancer, the His₆ fusion, the 14-amino acid S10 leader fusion, and an enterokinase cleavage site as well as the multiple cloning site; and an about 210-bp EcoRI to AatII fragment containing synthetic translational and transcription termination signals including the T₁ translation terminators in all three reading frames, an RNA stabilization sequence from Bacillus thurengiensis crystal protein and the T₂ rho-independent transcription terminator from the trpA operon.

The resulting recombinant molecules were transformed into E. coli to form recombinant cells, using standard techniques as disclosed in Sambrook et al., ibid.

The recombinant cells were cultured in shake flasks containing an enriched bacterial growth medium containing 0. 1 mg/ml ampicillin and 1% glucose at about 32° C. When the cells reached an OD₆₀₀ of about 0.6, expression of the Toxoplasma antigen was induced by quickly adjusting the temperature to 42° C. and continuing cultivation of the cells for about 2 hours. Protein production was monitored by SDS PAGE of recombinant cell lysates, followed by immunoblot analysis using standard techniques as described herein and as known in the art. The results of these assays are summarized in Table 6.

The antisera used to originally isolate each Toxoplasma-specific nucleic acid molecule (i.e., either antiserum 4604, or antiserum 4499) was used to identify recombinant proteins in E. coli extracts as follows. The material in crude extracts from E. coli were separated by running 5 μg protein per lane on a 12-well 10% Tris-glycine SDS-PAGE gel at 200 volts for 1 hour, and then transferred to nitrocellulose membranes by standard methods. After transfer, the membranes were blocked in 5% (w/v) dry milk for 1 hr at 37° C. The membranes were then incubated with a 1:200 dilution in Tris buffered saline of the sera originally used to select the nucleic acid molecule encoding Toxoplasma-specific portion of the fusion protein. After 1 hr incubation at room temperature, the blots were washed, and antibody binding resolved using a secondary antibody bound to a substrate for a color indicator. Using the original selecting antibody, immunoblot analysis of E. coli lysates identified fusions proteins at or near the predicted molecular weight of the recombinant fusion protein. The results of these assays are summarized in Table 6.

Histidine tagged fusion proteins were purified from cell lysates as follows. Cell cultures containing nucleic acid molecules of the present invention inserted into either pTrcHisB or λCRO were grown to an OD₆₀₀ of approximately 0.4 to 0.5. The cultures were induced with IPTG, and the cells harvested 4 hours later. Ten ml of cell culture was centrifuged at 3000 rpm on a table top centrifuge and the protein isolated according to the manufacturer's instructions using a Ni-NTA Spin Kit (available from Qiagen Inc.). Protein purification was monitored by SDS PAGE followed by Coomassie Blue staining of the column eluate fractions. Recombinant cells including recombinant molecules 4499-9, 4604-2, 4604-3, 4604-54, and 4604-69 produced proteins that were able to bind to a T7 tag monoclonal antibody (available from Novagen Inc., Madison, Wis.) directed against the fusion portion of the recombinant fusion protein.

Recombinant Nucleic Acid Molecules and Protein Molecules Including Sequences Encoding T. gondii Antigenic Proteins and Sequences from the Vector pTrcHisB:

Recombinant nucleic acid molecules including sequences encoding T. gondii antigenic proteins and sequences from the vector pTrcHisB were produced as described in Example 2. In brief, T. gondii DNA fragments in λgt11 were PCR amplified from nucleic acid molecules herein designated 4604-62, 4604-63, R8050-2, R8050-5, and R8050-6, using the λgt11 forward and reverse primers herein described. The resulting recombinant molecules were transformed into E. coli to form recombinant cells 4604-62, 4604-63, R8050-2, R8050-5, and R8050-6. Immunoblot analysis of the recombinant cell lysates using a T7 tag monoclonal antibody (available from Novagen Inc., Madison, Wis.) directed against the fusion portion of the recombinant Toxoplasma fusion protein was used to confirm the expression of the fusion proteins and to identify their size. Of the six nucleic acid molecules selected by immunoscreening with rabbit anti-ICG antiserum that were subcloned into the expression vector pTrcHisB, 15(4604-62, R8050-2, and R8050-5) were positive by this immunoblot assay. The results of these assays are summarized in Table 6.

Example 5

This Example discloses a method of isolation of T. gondii nucleic acid molecules encoding immunogenic T. gondii proteins recognized by cat antisera raised against infected cat gut. This Example further discloses recombinant nucleic acid molecules, proteins and cells of the present invention.

Preparation of cat antibody against infected cat gut: Preparation of infected cat gut material and production of anti-ICG antisera in cats was performed essentially as herein described for production of rabbit anti-ICG antiserum. Polyclonal cat antisera against infected cat gut (ICG) antigens (also herein referred to as anti-ICG antiserum or antisera, or anti-ICG antibody) were prepared by immunization of cats as follows. Three cats were injected with cat gut material. One cat (#AME5) was injected with material from uninfected cat gut material and two cats (#AMI4, #AMX1) were injected with material from infected cat gut preparations. The same injection, boost and bleed regimen and antigen preparation were used for cats as was used for rabbits, described above. Like the rabbit antisera, the cat antisera were preabsorbed to uninfected cat gut material prior to use in immunoscreening.

Anti-sera AMI was used to isolate nucleic acid molecules herein designated AMI-23, AMI-24, AMI-28, and AMI-47 as follows: E. coli Y1090 was infected with approximately 5×10⁶ PFU and then evenly spread on 10 LB-amp agarose culture plates. The rest of the screening procedure was as described for immunoscreening with antisera Q4-1959 (Example 2), with the following exceptions: the primary antibody was used at a 1:200 dilution, and the secondary antibody was a 1:1000 dilution of AP-conjugated goat anti-cat IgG. Of the 5×10⁶ plaques screened in this manner, 6 nucleic acid molecules capable of expressing proteins recognized by antisera AMI were plaque purified.

Anti-sera AMX/I was used to isolate nucleic acid molecules herein designated AMX/I-5, AMX/I-6, AMX/I-7, AMX/I-9, and AMX/I-10 as follows: E. coli Y1090 was infected with approximately 5×10⁶ PFU and then evenly spread on 12 LB-amp agarose culture plates. The rest of the screening procedure was as described for immunoscreening with antisera Q4-1959 (Example 2), with the following exceptions: the primary antibody was used at a 1:200 dilution, and the secondary antibody was a 1: 1000 dilution of AP-conjugated goat anti-cat IgG. Of the 5×10⁶ plaques screened in this manner, 6 nucleic acid molecules capable of expressing proteins recognized by antisera AMX/I were plaque purified. The results of this immunoscreen are summarized in Table 7.

TABLE 7 Nucleic Acid Molecules Selected by Cat Serum Specific to Infected Cat Gut ORIGINAL DETECTION EXPRESSION pDVAC REACTIVITY SEQ ID NO DESIGNATION ICG UCG TZ BZ pTrCHIS λCRO IN VITRO IN VIVO SERUM IS 54 AMX/I-5 + − + + + + ND ND ND + 55 AMX/I-6 2+  − 2+  + ND + ND ND ND − 57 AMX/I-7 2+  − − + ND + ND ND ND − 59 AMX/I-9 2+  − + + + ND ND ND ND − 61  AMX/I-10 + + − − + ND ND ND − 63 AMI-23 + + − − ND ND ND ND ND − 65 AMI-24 + − + 2+  + ND ND ND ND − 67 AMI-28 + − + 2+  ND ND ND ND ND − 68 AMI-47 − − + − + ND ND ND ND − Table 7 Legend: See Legend for Table 2.

Selected nucleic acid molecules identified by screening for the expression of proteins recognized by cat anti-ICG antisera were subcloned and sequenced as described in Example 2.

Sequence Analysis of Nucleic Acid Molecules Selected for Expression of Proteins Recognized by Cat Anti-ICG Antisera AMI and AMX/I:

The nucleic acid molecules isolated using antisera AMI or AMX/I were sequenced as described above. BLASTn and BLASTp homology searches were performed on these sequences using the NCBI GenBank™ non-redundant (nr) nucleotide (n) and amino acid (p) databases, and the dbEST (est) database as described above. The results of these searches are summarized in Table 3.

The sequence data described above were used to design unique primers specific to each nucleic acid molecule of the present invention. These primer sequences are listed in Table 4. The unique primers listed in Table 4 were used in reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays to assess the expression of the particular nucleic acid sequence in ICG, bradyzoites and tachyzoites. The results of these assays are summarized in Table 7.

T. gondii nucleic acid molecules encoding immunogenic T. gondii proteins isolated by immunoscreening with cat anti-ICG antiserum (antiserum AMI or AMX/I) were subcloned into either or both of two expression vectors: pTrcHisB or Prcro/T2ori/RSET-B (as described above). Expression of the fusion proteins from these vectors, and purification of their expressed fusion proteins, were as described above.

Recombinant Nucleic Acid Molecules, Protein Molecules and Cells Including Sequences Encoding T. gondii Antigenic Proteins and Sequences from the Vector Prcro/T2ori/RSET-B:

Recombinant molecules containing T. gondii nucleic acid molecules operatively linked to lambda phage transcriptional control sequences and to a fusion sequence encoding a poly-histidine segment in the vector Prcro/T2ori/RSET-B, were produced essentially as described above, resulting in the production of recombinant molecules. The resulting recombinant molecules were transformed into E. coli to form recombinant cells using standard techniques as disclosed in Sambrook et al., ibid. Assays for the expression of an immunogenic T. gondii fusion protein by these cells were performed as described above, and the results are summarized in Table 7.

Recombinant Nucleic Acid Molecules, Protein Molecules and Cells Including Sequences Encoding T. gondii Antigenic Proteins and Sequences from the Vector pTrcHisB:

Recombinant nucleic acid molecules including sequences encoding T. gondii antigenic proteins and sequences from the vector pTrcHisB were produced as described in Example 2. In brief, T. gondii DNA fragments in λgt11 were PCR amplified from nucleic acid molecules herein designated AMX/I-5, AMX/I-9, AMI-24 and AMI-47 using the λgt11 forward and reverse primers herein described. The resulting recombinant molecules were transformed into E. coli to form recombinant cells AMX/I-5, AMX/I-9, AMI-24 and AMI-47. Immunoblot analysis of the recombinant cell lysates using a T7 tag monoclonal antibody (available from Novagen Inc., Madison, Wis.) directed against the fusion portion of the recombinant Toxoplasma fusion protein was used to confirm the expression of the fusion proteins and to identify their size. The results of this immunoblot analysis are summarized in Table 7.

Example 6

This Example discloses a method of isolation of T. gondii nucleic acid molecules encoding immunogenic T. gondii proteins recognized by cat immune sera. This Example further discloses recombinant nucleic acid molecules, proteins and cells of the present invention.

Production of Cat Immune Sera:

Eight specific-pathogen free (SPF) cats (available from Liberty Laboratories, Liberty Corners, N.J.), ages 8–10 months, were randomly assigned to two groups; Group 1, n=5 and Group 2, n=3 (the uninfected control group). Before the initiation of any studies with these animals, serum samples were taken from each and tested for reactivity to solubilized tachyzoites. Each animal was seronegative for T. gondii by standard Western and ELISA analysis using solubilized tachyzoites as the antigen. This serum also served as the pre-bleed in subsequent studies. Feces from each animal were analyzed for the presence of shed T. gondii oocysts using flotation by sugar solution centrifugation followed by microscopic examination. Food was removed from both groups fourteen hours prior to Day 0, and on the day prior to all sample collections. On Day 0 the cats in Group 1 were orally inoculated by syringe at the back of the throat with 1000 mouse brain derived T. gondii tissue cysts of the Mozart strain. This strain represents an isolate from a cat which presented with Toxoplasmosis at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Colorado State University, in 1992. The Group 2 cats were not infected.

The Group 1 cats were housed in individual stainless steel cages in an infectious disease isolation unit. The feces from each animal were collected every day for the first fourteen days post infection (PI) and weekly thereafter until parasite challenge. The feces were analyzed for the presence of shed T. gondii oocysts. Five milliliters of whole blood was collected from each animal by jugular venipuncture on the following days post primary infection: 3, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28, 42, 56, 70, 84, 112, 140, 143, 147, 154, 161, 168, and 182.

On day 140 post primary infection, all Group 1 cats were orally challenged with 1000 mouse brain-derived tissue cysts of the Mozart strain. Fecal samples were collected and monitored for the excretion of oocysts for thirty days post challenge (PC). The cats were then bled as before on days: 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 42 post challenge.

In addition to the serum samples collected on the bleed dates, both salivary secretions and intestinal secretions were obtained at weeks 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, 10, 16, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 26. These samples were obtained by first anesthetizing each animal with an injection of thiobarbiturate, then intubating the animals and maintaining them with halothane and oxygen. Approximately 0.1 ml of saliva was collected into an equal volume of 0.1 M EDTA. The intestinal secretions were obtained from the upper portion of the small intestine using an endoscope fitted with medical tubing which allowed suction of intestinal fluid. Intestinal secretions were diluted 1:1 with sterile 0.9% NaCl and centrifuged at 10,000×g for 5 minutes in an Eppendorf centrifuge. The secretions were stored at −70° C. until use. Pooled secretions included equal aliquots from all five immune animals from week 20 through 26 post infection. These pooled secretions were used to test the reactivity of intestinal secretions from immune cats to proteins expressed by nucleic acid molecules of the present invention.

All Group 1 animals shed oocysts in their feces during the primary infection and all seroconverted as assessed by Western blot analysis using tachyzoite lysates as the antigen. None of these animals shed oocysts when challenged, and were therefore considered immune. The sera from the immune animals was pooled, and is referred to herein as Mozart II antiserum or antisera, or as immune antiserum or antisera.

Mozart II antisera was used to isolate nucleic acid molecules herein designated 4CQA-7, 4CQA-11, 4CQA-19, 4CQA-21, 4CQA-22, 4CQA-24, 4CQA-25, 4CQA-26, 4CQA-27, and 4CQA29 as follows: E. coli Y1090 was infected with approximately 8.3×10⁵ PFU and then evenly spread on 13 LB-amp agarose culture plates. The rest of the screening procedure was as described for immunoscreening with antisera Q4-1959 (Example 2), with the following exceptions: the primary antibody was used at a 1:80 dilution, and the secondary antibody was a 1:50 dilution of monoclonal mouse anti-cat a chain (available from Serotec, Oxford, England) and the tertiary antibody was a 1:1000 dilution of AP-conjugated goat anti-mouse IgG (Kirkegaard Perry Laboratories). Of the 8.3×10⁵ plaques screened in this manner, 13 nucleic acid molecules capable of expressing proteins recognized by Mozart II antisera were plaque purified. The results of assays to characterize these nucleic acid molecules are summarized in Table 8.

TABLE 8 Nucleic Acid Molecules Selected with Immune Cat Sera in Screens II and III ORIGINAL DETECTION EXPRESSION pDVAC REACTIVITY SEQ ID NO DESIGNATION ICG UCG TZ BZ pTrCHIS λCRO IN VITRO IN VIVO SERUM IS 1 Tg-41 2+ − + 3+ + ND + + + − 3 Tg-45 + − 2+ + + ND + + + + 5 Tg-50 + − + + + ND ND ND + + 82 4CQA-7  ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND + − 85 4CQA-11 2+ − + 2+ − ND + ND + + 87 4CQA-19 + − + + − ND ND ND + − 89 4CQA-21 3+ − 3+ + + ND ND ND + − 91 4CQA-22 + − 3+ 2+ − ND ND ND + − 93 4CQA-24 + − 2+ 3+ − ND ND ND + − 95 4CQA-25 + − 2+ 3+ − ND ND ND + − 97 4CQA-26 + + + + − ND ND ND + − 99 4CQA-27 + − + + + ND ND ND + − 101 4CQA-29 + − + 2+ − ND ND ND + − 109 M2A-1  + − + + ND ND ND ND + + 111 M2A-2  ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND + − 113 M2A-3  − − − − ND ND ND ND + − 115 M2A-4  + − + + ND ND ND ND + − 117 M2A-5  + − ND ND ND ND ND ND + − 119 M2A-6  − − − − ND ND ND ND + − 121 M2A-7  + − + + ND ND ND ND + − 123 M2A-11 + − + + ND ND ND ND + − 125 M2A-16 + − ND ND ND ND ND ND + − 127 M2A-18 + − + + ND ND ND ND + − 129 M2A-19 + + − + ND ND ND ND + − 131 M2A-20 + − + + ND ND ND ND + − 132 M2A-21 − − − − ND ND ND ND + − 134 M2A-22 + − + + ND ND ND ND + − 136 M2A-23 − − − − ND ND ND ND + − 139 M2A-24 − − − − ND ND ND ND + − 141 M2A-25 + − + + ND ND ND ND + − 143 M2A-29 + − + + ND ND ND ND + − Table 8 Legend: See Legend for Table 2.

In addition to the immunoscreen described above, Mozart II antisera was used in another immunoscreen to isolate nucleic acid molecules herein designated M2A1, M2A2, M2A3, M2A4, M2A5, M2A6, M2A7, M2A11, M2A16, M2A18, M2A19, M2A20, M2A21, M2A22, M2A23, M2A24, M2A25, and M2A29 as follows: E. coli Y1090 was infected with approximately 1×10⁶ PFU and then evenly spread on 10 LB-amp agarose culture plates. The rest of the screening procedure was as described for immunoscreening with antisera Q4-1959 (Example 2), with the following exceptions: the primary antibody was used at a 1:50 dilution, and the secondary antibody was a 1:200 dilution of AP-conjugated goat anti-cat IgA (available from Bethyl Laboratories Inc., Montgomery, Tex.). Of the 1×10⁶ plaques screened in this manner, 18 nucleic acid molecules capable of expressing proteins recognized by Mozart II antisera were plaque purified. The results of assays to characterize these nucleic acid molecules are summarized in Table 8.

Mozart II antisera was also used in yet another immunoscreen to isolate nucleic acid molecules herein designated Tg-41, Tg-45, and Tg-50 as follows: E. coli Y1090 was infected with approximately 1×10⁶ PFU and then evenly spread on 12 LB-amp agarose culture plates. The rest of the screening procedure was as described for immunoscreening with antisera Q4-1959 (Example 2), with the following exceptions: the primary antibody was used at a 1:50 dilution, and the secondary antibody was a 1:200 dilution of AP-conjugated goat anti-cat IgA Fc. Of the 1×10⁶ plaques screened in this manner, 4 nucleic acid molecules capable of expressing proteins recognized by Mozart II antisera were plaque purified. The results of assays to characterize these nucleic acid molecules are summarized in Table 8.

Selected nucleic acid molecules identified by screening for the expression of proteins recognized by Mozart II (immune) antiserum were subcloned and sequenced as described in Example 2.

Sequence Analysis of Nucleic Acid Molecules Selected for Expression of Proteins Recognized by Mozart II (Immune) Antiserum:

The nucleic acid molecules isolated using Mozart II (immune) serum were sequenced as described above. BLASTn and BLASTp homology searches were performed on these sequences using the NCBI GenBank™ non-redundant (nr) nucleotide (n) and amino acid (p) databases, and the dbEST (est) database as described above. The results of these searches are summarized in Table 3. Nucleic acid molecule M2A3 was sequenced again and some changes found between the first and second sequence. The resequenced nucleic acid molecule is referred to herein as M2A3-a. In addition, nucleic acid molecule M2A18 was sequenced again and some changes found between the first and second sequence. The resequenced nucleic acid molecule is referred to herein as M2A18-a.

The sequence data described above were used to design unique primers specific to each nucleic acid molecule of the present invention. These primer sequences are listed in Table 4. The unique primers listed in Table 4 were used in reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays to assess the expression of the particular nucleic acid sequence in ICG, bradyzoites and tachyzoites. The results of these assays are summarized in Table 8.

Recombinant Nucleic Acid Molecules, Protein Molecules and Cells Including Sequences Encoding T. gondii Antigenic Proteins and Sequences from the Vector pTrcHisB:

Recombinant nucleic acid molecules including sequences encoding T. gondii antigenic proteins and sequences from the vector pTrcHisB were produced as described in Example 2. In brief, T. gondii DNA fragments in λgt11 were PCR amplified from nucleic acid molecules herein designated 4CQA-11, 4CQA-19, 4CQA-21, 4CQA-22, 4CQA-24, 4CQA-25, 4CQA-26, 4CQA-27, 4CQA-29, Tg-41, Tg-45, and Tg-50 using the λgt11 forward and reverse primers herein described. The resulting recombinant molecules were transformed into E. coli to form recombinant cells. Immunoblot analysis of the recombinant cell lysates using a T7 tag monoclonal antibody (available from Novagen Inc., Madison, Wis.) directed against the fusion portion of the recombinant Toxoplasma fusion protein was used to confirm the expression of the fusion proteins and to identify their size. The results of this immunoblot analysis are summarized in Table 8.

Example 7

This Example discloses a method of isolation of T. gondii nucleic acid molecules encoding immunogenic T. gondii proteins recognized by cat immune sera enriched for antibodies to gametogenic stages (herein referred to as absorbed immune sera or serum). This Example further discloses recombinant nucleic acid molecules, proteins and cells of the present invention.

Production of Cat Immune Sera Enriched for Antibodies to Gametogenic Stages:

Sera from cats which were infected and then subsequently challenged with mouse brain-derived tissue cysts were tested for reactivity to extracts of infected cat gut material by Western blot analysis. Sera from one specific cat, designated Queen 2, demonstrated reactivity to particular ICG sections in which the presence of T. gondii had been shown by immunofluorescence assay. Queen 2 was originally infected with 100 mouse brain-derived tissue cysts, did not shed oocysts, and seroconverted to positive for tachyzoite antigens by day 39 post-infection. This sera was highly reactive to the asexual stage, tachyzoites. Therefore, to enhance the utility of this sera as a reagent for detection of gametogenic proteins, this sera was used in conjunction with a western blot of infected cat intestinal cell lysates to obtain a fraction enriched in antibody reactive to the gametogenic proteins. The enrichment of the Queen 2 sera (also referred to herein as Q2 sera) was performed as follows:

A 12% SDS-PAGE gel was prepared according to standard methods (Laemmli, 1970, Nature 227, 680–685). 1000 μg of solubilized ICG protein, prepared as described above, was loaded on 20×20×0.1 cm gel and run at 8V/cm for 5 hours. Toxoplasma tachyzoite (TZ) antigen, prepared from solubilized tachyzoites, was used as a control. Separated proteins were transferred to nitrocellulose according to standard procedures for western blotting. After transfer, the nitrocellulose filter was blocked with 4% (w/v) dry milk powder in PBS (pH 7.5), and incubated with a 1:200 dilution of immune cat (Queen 2) antiserum at room temperature for 5 hours with gentle shaking. The filter was then washed with PBS (pH 7.5). After washing, a 0.5 cm strip was cut off the end of the filter and incubated with a 1:1000 dilution of alkaline phosphatase labeled goat anti-cat IgG antibody at room temperature for 1 hour. The strip was stained with 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolylphosphate p-toluene salt/nitroblue tetrazolium chloride substrates (BCIP/NBT)(available from Gibco/BRL). The areas of the gel that stained with BCIP/NBT substrates represented ICG protein bands which were recognized by IgG antibodies in immune cat serum.

The regions of interest that were visualized on the BCIP/NBT-stained end strip were cut from the remainder of the filter, and the bound antibody eluted with 0.1 M glycine (pH 2.8), 1 mM EDTA at room temperature for 10 minutes. The antibody in glycine was neutralized with 10 mM Tris (pH 9.0), 0.02% NaN₃ was added, and the solution was stored at 4° C. The purified antibody was analyzed by Western blot of ICG to monitor successful recovery of the eluted antibody, verifying recovery of antibody that reacted with the appropriate molecular weight region of the ICG western blot. This antibody preparation is referred to herein as absorbed immune serum or sera.

The absorbed immune serum was used to isolate nucleic acid molecules herein designated Q2-4, Q2-9, Q2-10, and Q2-11 as follows: E. coli Y1090 was infected with approximately 3.2×10⁵ PFU and then evenly spread on 8 LB-amp agarose culture plates. The rest of the screening procedure was as described for immunoscreening with antisera Q4-1959 (Example 2), with the following exceptions: the primary antibody was used at a 1:200 dilution, and the secondary antibody was a 1:1000 dilution of AP-conjugated goat anti-cat IgG. Of the 3.2×10⁵ plaques screened in this manner, 4 nucleic acid molecules capable of expressing proteins recognized by absorbed immune serum were plaque purified. The results of assays to characterize these nucleic acid molecules are summarized in Table 9.

TABLE 9 Nucleic Acid Molecules Selected with Absorbed Immune Sera ORIGINAL DETECTION EXPRESSION pDVAC REACTIVITY SEQ ID NO DESIGNATION ICG UCG TZ BZ pTrCHIS λCRO IN VITRO IN VIVO SERUM IS 9 Q2-4  2+ − + 2+ ND + ND ND + − 13 Q2-9  + − + + − − ND ND + − 15 Q2-10 + − + + ND + ND ND + − 17 Q2-11 − − + + ND + ND ND + − Table 9 Legend: See Legend for Table 2.

Selected nucleic acid molecules identified by screening for the expression of proteins recognized by absorbed immune serum were subcloned and sequenced as described in Example 2.

Sequence Analysis of Nucleic Acid Molecules Selected for Expression of Proteins Recognized by Absorbed Immune Serum:

The nucleic acid molecules selected for expression of proteins recognized by absorbed immune serum were sequenced as described above. BLASTn and BLASTp homology searches were performed on these sequences using the NCBI GenBank™ non-redundant (nr) nucleotide (n) and amino acid (p) databases, and the dbEST (est) database as described above. The results of these searches are summarized in Table 3. Nucleic acid molecule Q2-9 was sequenced again and some changes found between the first and second sequence. The resequenced nucleic acid molecule is referred to herein as Q2-9-a.

The sequence data described above were used to design unique primers specific to each nucleic acid molecule of the present invention. These primer sequences are listed in Table 4. The unique primers listed in Table 4 were used in reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays to assess the expression of the particular nucleic acid sequence in ICG, bradyzoites and tachyzoites. The results of these assays are summarized in Table 9.

Recombinant Nucleic Acid Molecules, Protein Molecules and Cells Including Sequences Encoding T. gondii Antigenic Proteins and Sequences from the Vector Prcro/T2ori/RSET-B:

Recombinant molecules containing T. gondii nucleic acid molecule operatively linked to lambda phage transcriptional control sequences and to a fusion sequence encoding a poly-histidine segment in the vector Prcro/T2ori/RSET-B, were produced essentially as described above, resulting in the production of recombinant molecule. The resulting recombinant molecules were transformed into E. coli to form recombinant cells using standard techniques as disclosed in Sambrook et al., ibid. Immunoblot analysis of expression of immunogenic T. gondii proteins by these recombinant cells is summarized in Table 9.

Example 8

This Example describes the construction of several cDNA expression libraries of the present invention.

A T. gondii tachyzoite cDNA expression library, a T. gondii infected cat gut (ICG) cDNA library (constructed from seven day post infection infected cat gut material, which is a mix of both cat intestinal cDNA and T. gondii gametogenic cDNA), and an uninfected cat gut (UCG) cDNA expression library were from total RNAs as follows:

Isolation of Total RNA From Tachyzoites: Total RNA from tachyzoites was prepared using Tri-Reagent™ (available from Molecular Research Center, Inc, Cincinnati, Ohio) according to the manufacturer's directions. Briefly, 4×10⁹ tachyzoites were resuspended in 6 ml of TriReagent with a syringe and 18 gauge needle. Successive triturations were made with 20 gauge and 22 gauge needles. A volume of CHCl₃ equal to one-fifth the original volume of TriReagent® was added and the mixtures were shaken for 15 seconds. The aqueous and organic phases were then separated by centrifugation. Total RNA was recovered from the aqueous phase by precipitation in isopropanol.

PolyA⁺ RNA was isolated from total RNA using Pharmacia mRNA purification kit (available from Pharmacia Biotech Inc., Piscataway, N.J.).

Isolation of Total RNA from Other Sources: The method of isolation of total RNA from various tissues was the same for all tissues. The only variable was the starting material. For example, to obtain RNA from infected cat gut (ICG) or uninfected cat gut (UCG), the epithelial layer of a fifteen square centimeter section of gut was scraped into 6 ml of Tri-Reagent and processed as described above. RNA from mouse was obtained from 1 gm of mouse brain and treated with Tri-Reagent as described above. RNA from bradyzoites was obtained from 7,000 tissue cysts propagated in mouse brain, obtained as described, and treated with Tri-Reagent as described above.

PolyA⁺ mRNA was isolated from total RNA using Pharmacia mRNA purification kit (available from Pharmacia Biotech Inc., Piscataway, N.J.).

Preparation of λcDNA Libraries:

The ZAP-cDNA® synthesis kit (available from Stratagene) was used according to manufacturer's instructions to synthesize cDNA. Briefly, 5 or 10 μg of PolyA⁺ mRNA (prepared as described above) was reverse transcribed using Superscript® reverse transcriptase and 0.6 mM dGTP, dATP, dTTP, and 0.3 mM 5-methyl dCTP and 1.4 μg of oligo dT linker primer supplied with the ZAP-cDNA® Synthesis Kit. The second strand was made by digesting the RNA template with RNaseH and priming second strand synthesis with DNA polymerase I. The cDNA was then ligated into the Uni-ZAP® XR lambda insertion vector (available from Stratagene), packaged and amplified to produce tachyzoite and ICG cDNA libraries.

5 μg of polyA+ RNA was used to prepare the ICG cDNA library, and 10 μg of polyA+ RNA was used to prepare the tachyzoite cDNA library. For each library, 100 ng of double stranded cDNA was ligated and packaged and gave approximately 1.5×10⁶ unique nucleic acid molecules. The average size of the cloned inserts was 1.9 Kb in the tachyzoite cDNA library, and 2.1 Kb in the ICG cDNA library.

Example 9

This Example describes the construction and identification of cDNA sequences encoding near full-length T. gondii nucleic acid molecules encoding immunogenic T. gondii proteins.

Two of the molecular libraries described above were used to isolate near full-length T. gondii nucleic acid molecules encoding immunogenic T. gondii proteins: the tachyzoite cDNA library and the ICG cDNA library constructed from seven day post infection infected cat gut material.

The general approach to isolating nucleic acid sequences representing full length, or near full-length cDNA sequences was as follows: First, the MacVector DNA analysis program was used to design DNA primers for each of the Toxoplasma sequences cloned in an expression vector as herein described. These primers were then used in a PCR reaction in which the template was either of the Toxoplasma cDNA libraries herein described. The presence of a positive band on an agarose gel following PCR was diagnostic of the presence in the cDNA library of a nucleic acid molecule with homology to the primers. A near full-length cDNA molecule having sequence homology with the genomic DNA sequence designated Q2-4 was obtained by a direct hybridization screen of the libraries using radiolabeled clone-specific PCR fragments as templates. The isolation of one of these near full-length sequences is herein described in detail as representative of the methods used to isolate all of the near full-length sequences identified by this strategy.

A cDNA sequence representing a near full-length gene having homology to a nucleic acid sequence herein designated Q2-4 (isolated from the Toxoplasma genomic DNA library) was isolated from the infected cat gut (ICG) cDNA library by hybridization screening as follows: E. coli Y1090 was infected with approximately 1×10⁶ PFU of the Toxoplasma ICG cDNA library and then plated at a density of about 50,000 plaques per 150 mm agar plate. The resulting plaques were transferred to nitrocellulose filters. The filters were then soaked in denaturing solution (1.5 M NaCl, 0.5 M NaOH) for two minutes, neutralization solution (1.5 M NaCl, 0.5 M Tris, pH 8) for five minutes, and then rinsed several times in 2×SSC (150 mM NaCl, 15 mM Na citrate, pH 7). The DNA bound to the filters was crosslinked using a Stratalinker® UV crosslinker (available from Stratagene) according to the manufacturer's directions.

A radioactive hybridization probe was made by incorporating ³²P into clone-specific template DNA using a Prime-It® II random primer labeling kit (available from Stratagene) following the manufacturers directions. The template was a PCR fragment generated by using two primers specific for Q2-4. For each 100 μl reaction, 30 ng of Toxoplasma genomic DNA was PCR amplified using 200 mM of each dCTP, dGTP, dTTP, dATP, 200 nM of each specific primer, 2.5 mM MgCl₂, 20 mM Tris pH 8.4, 50 mM KCl, and 2.5 units Taq DNA polymerase (available from The Perkin Elmer Corp.) for thirty-five cycles in a Perkin-Elmer Gene Amp PCR System (available from The Perkin Elmer Corp.).

The nitrocellulose filters containing crosslinked DNA were hybridized in 2×PIPES buffer (10 mM piperazine-N,N′-bis[2-ethanesulfonic acid] (pH 6.5), 400 mM NaCl), 50% formamide, 0.5% SDS, 100 mg/ml denatured salmon sperm DNA and 10⁷ cpm/ml of the radioactive hybridization probe. The filters were incubated with this hybridization solution overnight at 42° C. The next day the filters were washed in 0.1×SSC, 0.1% SDS and then exposed to X-ray film (available from Kodak, Rochester, N.Y.) in order to visualize positive plaques.

Plaques in the area corresponding to the positive signals were picked into SM buffer (50 mM Tris, pH 7.5, 100 mM NaCl, 8 mM MgSO₄, and 0.01% gelatin) and the phage replated at a lower density. The same screening procedure was repeated three or four times until a pure plaque corresponding to a full length cDNA nucleic acid sequence representing Q2-4 was isolated.

After plaque purification, the nucleic acid molecules were mapped and the areas of interest sequenced using primers specific to the original clone, long fragment PCR, and cycle sequencing of the large fragments.

Example 10

This Example describes the expression in a eucaryotic cell of nucleic acid molecules encoding immunogenic T. gondii proteins, and DNA vaccination with nucleic acid molecules encoding immunogenic T. gondii proteins.

Cloning into a Eucaryotic Expression Vector(pDVacI):

Inserts from eight clones (OC-2, OC-13, OC-14, OC-22, Tg-41, Tg-45, Tg-50, 4CQA-11) were ligated into the pDVacI expression vector. This vector contained a eucaryotic promoter from cytomegalovirus (CMV), followed by the start codon and signal sequence for a mouse kappa immunoglobulin gene. An EcoR I site was inserted in frame downstream to the signal sequence. This allowed the insertion of Eco RI fragments directly from the original lambda phage. The nucleic acid molecules produced by insertion of nucleic acid molecules encoding immunogenic T. gondii proteins into pDVacI are referred to herein as pDVacI:Toxoplasma nucleic acid molecules. If the EcoR I inserts represent nucleic acid sequence that is entirely open reading frame, then the protein product expressed from these inserts may be in frame with a C-terminal fusion consisting of both a poly histidine track and amino acid sequence representing an epitope from the human myc gene as a reporter sequence. The N-terminal fusion adds 49 amino acids, or about 5.4 kD to the protein encoded by the T. gondii nucleic acid molecule, and the C-terminal fusion adds 38 amino acids, or about 4.2 kD, to the fusion protein.

Expression In Vitro:

Direct sequencing of the inserts in each plasmid confirmed the production of eight different pDVacI:Toxoplasma nucleic acid molecules. DNA from these molecules was then tested for eukaryotic expression of antigenic T. gondii proteins by transfecting BHK cells in vitro with DNA isolated from the pDVacI:Toxoplasma nucleic acid molecules. Analysis of the eukaryotic expression products of the pDVacI:Toxoplasma nucleic acid molecules was done by western blot on cell lysates and on supernatants from the transformed BHK cells. Either a monoclonal reactive with the myc epitope or antibody specific to each clone was used as the primary antibody. Seven out of the eight plasmid constructs expressed a protein in vitro. See Table 10.

TABLE 10 Analysis of Clones in Eucaryotic Expression Vector and DNA Vaccination Sero- Size (KD) conversion Expressed Expression in vitro (# of Clone in pDVac EU/ug DNA* Pellet Super Mice)** OC-2 40 0.3/0.4 + + 5/5/5 OC-13 38   0/0.23 + + 0/0/4 OC-14 32 7.7/3.8 − − *** OC-22 40  0.5/0.44 + + 4/5/5 Tg-41 33  23/1.8 + + 0/1/5 Tg-45 26 0/0 + + 3/5/5 Tg-50 55 4.0/4.0 + + 5/5/5 4cga-11 25 0.95/5.3  + + 0/0/0 Table 10 legend: *The first and second numbers represent the endotoxin units (EU)/ug of DNA for the first and second immunizations respectively. **The numbers represent the # of mice that sero-converted at the 4, 7 and 9 week bleeds, respectively, out of the group of five that were injected. ***Antigen for Nt4 protein was not available to analyze for these sera samples.

Expression In Vivo:

100 ug of each pDVacI:Toxoplasma nucleic acid molecule was injected intradermally into five mice. The administrations were at day zero and week five; bleeds were collected at weeks four, seven and nine. The mouse sera were used to determine if the DNA vaccination with each clone elicited a serological response to the cloned fusion protein. This was measured by western blot analysis with the protein expressed in the BHK lysates. Six of the eight clones induced antibodies in mice by week nine, see Table 10.

Reactivity of Antibody Raised Against Recombinant OC-1 Protein:

Purified recombinant protein expressed by an expression vector containing the nucleic acid sequence referred to as OC-1 (SEQ ID NO:70) was used to immunize mice and rabbits by methods well known in the art. The animals were bled, and serum collected used in immunofluorescence assays against infected and uninfected cat gut tissue. The results of these assays showed that antibody raised, in mice and rabbits, to recombinant OC-1 protein bound to most of the enteroepithelial stages in the infected cat gut. The antiserum did not react with uninfected cat gut.

Example 11

This example describes the construction of a Toxoplasma gondii EMBL3 genomic library from tachyzoites grown in tissue culture. This Example further describes isolation of near full-length nucleic acid molecules encoding stage specific T. gondii antigenic proteins.

An EMBL3 library of Toxoplasma genomic DNA was constructed using standard molecular cloning methods, well known to those skilled in the art of cloning (see, for example, Sambrook, et al., ibid.). In brief, Toxoplasma genomic DNA, prepared from tachyzoites as herein described, was partially digested with Sau3A I, using a series of different ratios of units of enzyme to μg of DNA. Digestions were incubated at 37° C. for one hour. Ratios of 0.06, 0.03, and 0.015 units of enzyme per μg of DNA produced high molecular weight DNA fragments which were then run on a preparative agarose gel. The fraction of the gel corresponding to DNA in a size range of between 15 and 20 Kb was excised. The DNA fragments were extracted from the gel, and the amount of extracted DNA quantitated. The EMBL3 library was then constructed using this DNA and the Lambda EMBL3/BamH I Vector Kit (available from Stratagene). The manufacturer's instructions were followed for all cloning steps, and the resulting ligated DNA was packaged using the Gigapack® II XL Packaging Extract (available from Stratagene). Packaging and amplification followed the manufacturer's specifications. The resulting library is referred to herein as the EMBL3:Toxoplasma genomic library.

The EMBL3:Toxoplasma genomic library was plated at a density of 50,000 plaques per 150 mM agar plate and the plaques transferred to a nitrocellulose filter. The filters were soaked in denaturing solution (1.5 M NaCl, 0.5 M NaOH) for two minutes, neutralization solution (1.5 M NaCl, 0.5 M Tris, pH 8) for five minutes, rinsed several times in 2×SSC (150 mM NaCl, 15 mM Na citrate, pH 7), and the DNA crosslinked using a Stratalinker® UV crosslinker (available from Stratagene) according to the manufacturer's instructions.

The EMBL3:Toxoplasma genomic library was screened with probes made from PCR amplified nucleic acid molecules isolated by immunoscreening the λgt11:Toxoplasma genomic library. The primers used to generate these probes were derived using the MacVector Sequence Analysis program and the sequences of nucleic acid molecules encoding T. gondii antigenic proteins isolated from the λgt11:Toxoplasma genomic library.

The filters were hybridized in 2×PIPES buffer (10 mM piperazine-N,N′-bis[2-ethanesulfonic acid] (pH 6.5), 400 mM NaCl), 50% formamide, 0.5% SDS, 100 μg/ml denatured salmon sperm DNA (available from Sigma) and 10⁷ cpm/ml of radioactive hybridization probe. The filters were hybridized overnight at 42° C. The next day the filters were washed in 0.1×SSC, 0.1% SDS, and then exposed to X-ray film (Kodak).

Plaques in the area corresponding to the positive signals were picked into SM buffer (50 mM Tris, pH 7.5, 100 mM NaCl, 8 mM MgSO₄, and 0.01% gelatin) and the phage replated at a lower density. The same screening procedure was repeated three or four times until a pure plaque hybridizing with a nucleic acid molecule isolated by immunoscreening the λgt11:Toxoplasma genomic library was isolated. After plaque purification, the nucleic acid molecules were mapped and the areas of interest sequenced using primers specific to the original clone, long fragment PCR, and cycle sequencing of the large fragments.

Long fragment PCR was done with a Perkin-Elmer XL PCR kit (available from The Perkin-Elmer Corp., Foster City, Calif.) as follows: A 100 μl reaction was separated into two layers with a wax bead so one would have a hot-start reaction. The lower layer contained 1×XL PCR buffer supplied with the kit, 40 pM each of the forward and reverse primers, SC1011 and SC1002, (supplied by the manufacturer with the XL PCR kit, 2.5 mM each dNTP, 1.1 mM Mg(OAc)₂. The upper layer contained 1×XL buffer, 4 units of rTth DNA polymerase (available from The Perkin-Elmer Corp.) and about 5 ng of the plaque purified EMBL3:Toxoplasma genomic DNA as the template. The reaction was done in a Hybaid thermocycler (available from Hybaid Ltd., Middlesex, UK), and the reaction products were resolved on a 0.6% agarose gel.

Example 12

This Example describes the detection of T. gondii oocysts in cat feces by PCR amplification of nucleic acid sequences homologous to nucleic acid sequences encoding immunogenic T. gondii proteins of the present invention. Specifically, this example describes a rapid PCR dipstick method for the detection of oocysts in feces.

Naive cats were infected per os by 1000 mouse-brain derived tissue cysts of T. gondii strain C at day zero. Feces from each animal were collected, if available, on a daily basis starting at day zero and each day for 19 days post infection (PI). A portion of the feces was treated by the standard sugar floatation method (Dubey, J. P., Swan, G. V., and Frenkel, J. K. 1972, Journal of Parasitology. 58: 1005–1006) and the oocysts visualized using a microscope and counted on a haemacytometer. A portion of each feces was also suspended in PBS, vortexed and a small sample obtained by dipping an IsoCodeJ™ dipstick (available from Schleicher & Schuell, Keene, N.H.) into the fecal solution. The dipstick was allowed to air dry and then washed in 500 μl of distilled water by vortexing the stick end and water in a tube for 10 seconds. Material adhering to the filter was then eluted in 50 μl of fresh distilled water by heating to 95° C. for 30 minutes. The remaining supernatant was then used for standard hot start PCR, according to methods well known in the art, using primers representing DNA sequences from nucleic acid molecules encoding T. gondii antigenic proteins. The results of an experiment in which primers derived from nucleic acid molecule OC-2 were used are shown in Table 11. The results of this experiment demonstrated that the PCR detection method was at least as sensitive at detecting oocysts in fecal matter as the conventional floatation method.

TABLE 11 PCR Analysis of Cat Feces #3528-U #3512-I #3515-I PCR PCR PCR Day Oocysts/gm Dipstick Day Oocysts/gm Dipstick Day Oocysts/gm Dipstick PI Float Oc2 PI Float Oc2 PI Float Oc2 0 0 − 0 0 − 0 0 − 1 0 − 1 0 − 1 0 − 2 0 − 2 0 − 2 0 − 3 0 − 3 0 − 3 0 − 4 0 − 4 4 1 × 10e6 + 5 0 − 5 1 × 10e4 + 5 5 × 10e6 + 6 6 3 × 10e5 + 6 1 × 10e6 + 7 0 − 7 1 × 10e6 + 7 8 8 1 × 10e6 + 8 2 × 10e5 + 9 0 − 9 1 × 10e6 + 9 7 × 10e4 + 10 0 − 10 1 × 10e5 + 10 0 + 11 0 − 11 1 × 10e5 + 11 0 − 12 12 0 + 12 0 − 13 13 0 − 13 0 − 14 14 0 − 14 0 − 15 0 − 15 0 − 15 0 − 16 16 16 0 − 17 17 17 0 − 18 18 0 − 18 0 − 19 0 − 19 0 − 19 0 −

A series of additional experiments was performed in order to investigate further the PCR dipstick method for the detection of oocyts in feces. In this set of experiments, the following methods were used to produce T. gondii infected cats, and to detect oocysts in the feces of the infected cats. T. gondii C-strain tissue cysts were obtained by orally infecting 6–8 week old Swiss Webster mice with a sub-lethal dose of mouse brain derived tissue cysts. At six weeks post infection, the animals were euthanized with CO₂ and the brains were removed and placed in 30% Dextran in HBSS (Gibco/BRL). The brains were then homogenized with a Tissuemizer (Tekmar Co., Cincinnati Ohio) and centrifuged at 5,000×g's for 10 min at 4° C. The pellet was resuspended in HBSS and the tissue cysts were counted. The tissue cysts were diluted with PBS to the appropriate concentration for oral administration to cats at the back of the throat using a 1 ml syringe. A total of twenty cats was used in this study: seventeen were experimentally infected with 1000 tissue cysts and three were used as uninfected controls. All cats were housed in separate cages and feces were collected at the day of infection and daily for the next 21 days. On average there were approximately twelve samples per cat. The fecal samples were stored at 4° C. until tested, which was within two weeks of collection.

Conventional quantification of oocysts in feces was based on the sugar flotation method of Dubey and Beattie, 1988, and is described in full as follows. Each fecal sample was weighed and then 2 grams of feces were mixed with 15 ml of sugar solution (53 gm sugar, 100 ml of water). Following solubilization with a tongue depressor, the mixture was passed through two layers of gauze. The filtrate was poured into a 15 ml conical tube and centrifuged at 1,200×g for 10 minutes. The top 3 ml of the sample was added to 13 ml of sugar solution and centrifuged as above. The top 3 ml of the second flotation was added to 13 ml of water and centrifuged at 1,200×g for 10 minutes. The resulting oocyst pellet was resuspended in 1 ml of water and the oocysts counted using a hemacytometer. Alternatively, the entire fecal sample was solubilized in PBS by adding five ml of PBS per gram of the pre-weighed feces in a 250 ml plastic beaker. After one hour at room temperature, a tongue depressor was used to thoroughly suspend the feces. Five ml of the fecal slurry was added to a 15 ml tube containing 5 ml of 2× sugar solution and inverted several times. The tube was then centrifuged at 1,200×g for 10 minutes. The top 3 ml of the sample was subjected to a second sugar flotation, resuspended, and counted as described above.

Analysis of the fecal samples by the PCR dipstick method was performed as follows. One ml aliquots were taken, prior to further processing for floatation, from each of the initial fecal slurries described above. Samples were collected directly onto dipsticks, either by spotting 10 ul onto each dipstick filter or by directly dipping the dipstick into the fecal slurry. The filters were then dried at room temperature and the filter portion of the dipstick was cut off into a sterile 1.5 ml centrifuge tube. The filter was washed with 500 ul of sterile distilled water by vortexing for 8 seconds. The wash was removed and 50 ul of sterile water was added to the tube and adherent oocyst DNA eluted by heating at 95° C. for 1 hour. The filter was removed with a sterile tip and the sample stored (also referred to as the dipstick eluate) at −20° C.

Primers specific to two T. gondii genes, B1 and OC-2, were used in the amplification reactions. The primers for the B1 gene (Burg, et al., 1989, Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 27: 1787–1792) were B1 forward (5′-GGA ACT GCA TCC GTT CAT GAG-3′, herein referred to as SEQ ID NO:332), B1 reverse (5′-TCT TAA AGC GTT CGT GGT C-3′, herein referred to as SEQ ID NO:333), and a B1 internal primer (5′-GGC GAC CAA TCT GCG AAT ACA CC-3′, herein referred to as SEQ ID NO:334). The T. gondii OC-2 was isolated as herein described. The OC-2-derived primers were OC-2 forward (5′-GCA TCC TTG GAG ACA GAG CTT GAG-3′, herein referred to as SEQ ID NO:335), OC-2 reverse (5′-GGG TTC TCT TCT CGC TCA TCT TTC-3′, herein referred to as SEQ ID NO:336), and an OC-2 internal primer (5′-AGT CAG AAG CAG TCA AGG C-3′ herein referred to as SEQ ID NO:337). The PCR mixture contained 1×PCR buffer (10 mM Tris-HCl₂, 1.5 mM MgCl₂, 50 mM KCl), 0.2 mM deoxynucleoside triphosphates (Perkin-Elmer Cetus Corp., Norwalk, Conn.), 0.8 uM of each primer, 0.5 U of Gold AmpliTaq™ DNA polymerase (Available from Perkin-Elmer Corp.), and 1 ul DNA template in a total volume of 25 ul. The reaction mixture was denatured at 95° C. for 10 minutes, amplified for 42 cycles including a denaturation step at 95° C. for 30 seconds, annealing at 58° C. for 30 seconds, extension at 72° C. for 40 seconds, and a final extension for 5 minutes at 75° C. on an automated DNA thermal cycler (Model 9700, Perkin-Elmer, Foster City, Calif.). PCR products were analyzed by electrophoresis on a 1.5% agarose gel, stained with ethidium bromide (0.5 ug/ml), and photographed on a UV transilluminator.

Following electrophoresis, the DNA products were denatured in 0.5 N NaOH and 1.5 M NaCl buffer for 30 minutes, transferred to a nylon membrane (Maximum Strength Nytran Plus, available from Schleicher & Schuell) overnight and cross-linked by exposure to UV light (UV Stratalinker 1800, available from Stratagene). The filters were incubated in prehybridization buffer (5×SSC, 1× Denhardt's reagent, 0.2% SDS, 1 mg/ml sheared DNA) at 42° C. for 2 hours and then in hybridization buffer (5×SSC, 1× Denhardt's reagent, 0.2% SDS, 1 mg/ml sheared DNA ) containing 5′ γ-³²P labeled oligonucleotide probe at 42° C. overnight. After overnight incubation, membranes were washed twice in 2×SSC, 0.1% SDS for 15 minutes at room temperature, and then washed twice in 0.2×SSC, 0.1% SDS at 55° C. for 1 hour. The filters were autoradiographed at −70° C. with Kodak XRR film.

Ethidium bromide-stained agarose gel and Southern hybridization analysis of PCR amplified products from oocyst-seeded fecal samples was performed in order to determine whether the dipstick method described herein resulted in a reduction of inhibition of PCR amplification of T. gondii-specific DNA in fecal slurries as compared with fecal slurries alone. Two sets of solutions, PBS and PBS/Feces (1:4 gm/ml), were seeded with four concentrations of oocysts, 2×10⁶, 5×10⁵, 5×10⁴, and 5×10³. Using the dipstick technique described above, this resulted in an estimated maximum number of oocysts in the PCR amplification tube to be 400, 100, 10, and 1 as indicated for the PBS solution and for the PBS/Feces solution respectively. Southern hybridization was performed using the OC-2 gene internal primer as the probe. Southern hybridization results and the ethidium bromide stained gel demonstrated that inhibition of PCR amplification of the exogenously added DNA was dramatically reduced (as compared with fecal extract alone) in samples prepared as per the dipstick assay as described above.

Three different paper supports were tested for their ability to support the PCR dipstick assay: IsoCodeJ™ Stix, S&S® #903™ (available from Schleicher and Schuell) and Nobuto Blood Filter Strips (available from Advantec, Pleasantville, Calif.). First, IsoCodeJ™ Stix were tested for the ability to bind oocysts. Oocysts were diluted into either PBS or a suspension of uninfected feces and PBS. The fecal dipstick procedure as described above was used to sample and elute DNA for PCR analysis. The concentration of oocysts per reaction was adjusted so that theoretical maximum could be 1, 10, 100, and 400 oocysts respectively. The amplification products were run on an agarose gel and stained as described above. According to this assay, oocysts diluted into PBS alone could be readily detected at 10 oocysts per ul of dipstick eluate with primers directed to the T. gondii OC-2 gene. In addition, oocysts in a suspension of feces and PBS could be detected when present at a concentration of between 10 and 100 oocysts per ul. This experiment demonstrates that the oocysts are bound to the IsoCodeJ™ Stix in the presence of feces, are eluted by heat, and following a wash and heat elution step are sufficiently free from inhibitors to be detected by PCR amplification.

Under these conditions, detecting 10 oocysts per ul of eluate from the IsoCodeJ™ Stix is equivalent to detecting oocysts at a concentration of 2.5×10⁵ oocysts/gram of feces. Several parameters were tested for their ability to increase the sensitivity of this test. First, two additional paper supports, S&S® #903™ and Nobuto Blood Filter Strips, were tested for both the ability to bind oocysts in the presence of solubilized feces, and the ability to support subsequent PCR detection of oocyst DNA. Each of these filter papers bound T. gondii oocysts, and subsequent PCR amplification with OC-2 primers detected the presence of T. gondii DNA. However, the sensitivity of detection for each of these papers was somewhat less than the sensitivity of the assay when using IsoCodeJ Stix™. All three paper supports were also tested for binding of oocysts in the presence of feces over a range of pH from 4 to 9. The S&S® #903™ and Nobuto Blood Filter Strips were most effective at pH 7. Binding of oocysts to the IsoCodeJ Stix™ was significantly increased at pH 9. All subsequent assays described below used IsoCodeJ Stix™ and pH 9 for binding of oocysts to dipsticks.

Another approach to increasing the sensitivity of the assay was to use primers from the B1 gene during the PCR amplification reaction. The B1 gene is a multicopy gene that is present at approximately 35 copies per T. gondii genome. Using a B1-specific primer resulted in a ten-fold increase in sensitivity, and produced an assay in which 1 oocyst/ul could routinely be detected. This level of sensitivity of the assay correlated with the ability to detect approximately 1×10⁴ oocysts/gram of feces.

The sensitivity and specificity of the PCR detection method was tested in experimentally infected animals using flotation and visualization of oocysts as the standard for quantification of oocysts. SPF cats were infected with mouse brain-derived tissue cysts and feces were collected from the cats for twenty-one days. Each sample was analyzed by both direct visualization and the dipstick PCR technique. Following gel electrophoresis of the products from PCR amplification, the results were scored as either positive or negative depending on the presence or absence of the correct gene-specific PCR product. Table 12 shows the results of PCR detection using both the B1 and OC-2 DNA primers for each individual fecal sample. The positive and negative predicative values were 93.2% and 97.2% respectively using the B1 gene DNA primers and 80.2% and 95.8% respectively using the OC-2 DNA primers.

TABLE 12 Sensitivity, specificity and predicative values for the PCR detection of oocysts in experimentally infected cat feces. Total Predictive Samples Sensitiv- Speci- Value % Method +/− f/n^(a) f/p^(b) ity % ficity % +/− Microscopy 69/176 0 0 100 100 100/100 PCR B1 Primers 64/171 5 5 94.7 96.7 93.2/97.2 OC-2 61/161 7 16 89.7 96.4 80.2/95.8 Primers ^(a)false negative ^(b)false positive

Example 13

A PCR ELISA was developed for the detection and quantification of PCR amplification products from the PCR dipstick method. In general, digoxigenin-labeled amplified product produced by the PCR dipstick detection method were detected by hybridization to an internal biotinylated B1 gene primer bound to microtiter wells. The concentration of PCR labeled digoxigenin fragment was determined using an alkaline phosphatase-linked anti-digoxigenin antibody (available from Boehringer Mannheim Biochemica Gmbh). The alkaline phosphatase activity level was then determined using a standard ELISA reader. This quantitative PCR ELISA method detected oocysts at a lower limit of 1×10⁴ oocysts/gram when tested with uninfected cat feces seeded with known concentrations of T. gondii oocysts. The method is described in detail as follows.

PCR amplification using B1 gene-specific primers was performed on eluates from the fecal dipstick method herein described. Amplification products were labeled by incorporation of digoxigenin-11-dUTP (DIG-11-dUTP) present in the reaction mix at 2.5 uM. The concentration of dTTP in this reaction mix was reduced to 22.5 uM. The resulting labeled fragment was detected using reagents from the PCR ELISA (DIG Detection) kit (available from Boehringer Mannheim Biochemica Gmbh, Mannheim, Germany). The procedure was as follows. Four ul of the primary amplification reaction product was added to 16 ul of denaturation buffer and incubated at room temperature for 10 minutes. This was mixed with 200 ul hybridization buffer that contained 20 pmol/ml of the biotinylated B1 gene probe. One-half of the hybridization reaction mixture was transferred to a well in a streptavidin-coated microtiter plate and incubated at 50° C. for 3 hours with shaking. The plate was washed with washing buffer five times at room temperature and incubated with 100 ul of anti-digoxigenin Fab conjugated with peroxidase at 37° C. for 45 minutes. Following five washes, 100 ul of ABTS substrate solution (available from Boehringer Mannheim Biochemica) was added to each well and the color was developed at room temperature for 45 minutes. The optical densities (OD) at 405 nm were read in a spectrophotometer (SpectraMAX 250, available from Molecular Devices Inc., Sunnyvale, Calif.) and analyzed with Soft Max Pro™ software (available from Molecular Devices Inc.).

Quantification of oocysts in feces by the PCR ELISA technique was compared with quantification by the microscopic analysis. Individual feces from six different cats were collected (as available) at various days post infection. Oocysts were then quantified for each sample by two separate techniques, microscopy and PCR ELISA. The results from each of these two methods were in good agreement. Standard regression analysis produced a correlation coefficient of 0.91.

Example 14

This example describes the detection of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts and Giardia lamblia cysts in feces using the PCR dipstick detection method described above. Oocysts and cysts from C. parvum and G. lamblia respectively were detected by the dipstick PCR detection method, thereby demonstrating the usefulness of this method for the detection of cysts or oocysts from unrelated species.

Feline fecal samples from SPF cats were seeded with either C. parvum oocysts or G. lamblia cysts and used in the PCR detection method described herein. The primers used to detect C. parvum were specific for the C. parvum AWA gene, while the primers used to detect G. lamblia were specific for the G. lamblia ABB gene (Rochelle, et al., 1997, Applied and Environmental Microbiology 63:106–114).

In order to demonstrate binding of C. parvum oocysts to a dipstick in the presence of feline fecal slurry, aliquots of feline fecal slurry (1:4, mg/ml) were seeded with between 5×10² and 5×10⁶ C. parvum oocysts/ml. These samples were then tested for binding of the oocysts and subsequent PCR analysis according to the PCR detection methods described herein. The primers used in the PCR amplification were specific for the C. parvum AWA gene. The PCR amplified products were run on and agarose gel and stained with ethidium bromide. The C. parvum-specific primer primed amplification of a DNA product of the predicted mobility, in an oocyst concentration-dependent manner, from the dipstick eluate as described above. The results of this experiment demonstrated that C. parvum oocysts bound to a dipstick in the presence of feline fecal slurry, and that about 5×10² C. parvum oocysts/ml were detectable by the PCR detection method after binding to the dipstick under these conditions. Because 5×10² oocysts/ml was the lowest concentration tested, and the products were easily observable, the concentration of cysts detectable by this method is likely to be lower than 5×10² oocysts/ml.

In order to demonstrate binding of Giardia cysts to a dipstick in the presence of feline fecal slurry, aliquots of feline fecal slurry (1:4, mg/ml) were seeded with between 5×10² and 5×10⁵ G. lamblia cysts/ml. These samples were then tested for binding of the cysts and subsequent PCR analysis according to the PCR detection methods described herein. The primers used in PCR amplification were specific for the G. lamblia ABB gene. The PCR amplified products were run on and agarose gel and stained with ethidium bromide. The G. lamblia-specific primer primed amplification of a DNA product of the predicted mobility, in a cyst concentration-dependent manner, from the dipstick eluate as described above. The results of this experiment demonstrated that G. lamblia cysts bound to a dipstick in the presence of feline fecal slurry, and that about 5×10² G. lamblia cysts/ml were detectable by the PCR detection method after binding to the dipstick under these conditions. Because 5×10² cysts/ml was the lowest concentration tested, and the products were easily observable, the concentration of cysts detectable by this method is likely to be lower than 5×10² cysts/ml.

Example 15

This Example discloses a method of isolation of T. gondii nucleic acid molecules encoding immunogenic T. gondii proteins recognized by intestinal secretions from infected cats. This Example further discloses recombinant nucleic acid molecules and proteins of the present invention.

The production of intestinal secretions and from infected cats and the use of these secretions for screening for nucleic acid molecules encoding immunogenic T. gondii proteins are described herein in Example 6. Intestinal secretions collected from a single cat that had been previously infected with T. gondii were pooled and preabsorbed to remove antibodies directed against UCG and E. coli. The pooled, preabsorbed intestinal secretions are also referred to herein as MGIS antiserum. MGIS antiserum was used to immune screen an ICG cDNA library in order to identify and isolate nucleic acid molecules encoding immunogenic T. gondii proteins recognized by intestinal secretions from infected cats. Six nucleic acid molecules encoding immunogenic T. gondii proteins recognized by intestinal secretions from infected cats were identified and isolated using the following methods. These six nucleic acid molecules are referred to herein as MGIS4-2 (also herein referred to as SEQ ID NO:282 and SEQ ID NO:284, representing the coding strand and its reverse complement, respectively), MGIS4-4 (also herein referred to as SEQ ID NO:292 and SEQ ID NO:294), MGIS4-8 (also herein referred to as SEQ ID NO:306 and SEQ ID NO:308), MGIS6-5 (also herein referred to as SEQ ID NO:311 and SEQ ID NO:313), MGIS6-2 (also herein referred to as SEQ ID NO:326 and SEQ ID NO:328), and MGIS1-3 (also herein referred to as SEQ ID NO:329 and SEQ ID NO:331).

Absorption of MGIS Antibody

MGIS antiserum was collected, as previously described, from the cat intestine on weeks 6, 10, and 13 after infection, and on weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 after challenge. Both pools of antisera were combined and used to screen the cDNA library, and are herein referred to as MGIS antiserum.

To remove anti-cat intestinal and anti-E.coli tissue reactive antibodies, the MGIS pools were absorbed to nitrocellulose (NC) filters coated with either cat intestinal proteins or E.coli proteins. Cat intestinal proteins used to coat the nitrocellulose filters were generated as follow. The epithelial layer of uninfected cat intestine was scraped on dry ice and the cells subsequently passed through several different gauge needles (No. 18, 21, and 23) 10 times each. The sample was frozen and thawed 3 times, and then sonicated on ice for 10 minutes. The protein extract was diluted to 400 ug/ml in PBS and immersed with the nitrocellulose at room temperature for 1 hour, and was then blocked with 4% milk in PBS for 30 minutes. Similarly, XL-1 blue E.coli cells were resuspended in PBS and bacterial protein extracts prepared similar to the cat intestinal proteins. The bacterial extract was diluted to a final concentration of 2.3 mg/ml in PBS and bound to the filter in a manner similar as the cat intestinal extract.

MGIS antiserum was diluted 1:20 with 4% milk in PBS and absorbed sequentially to both the cat intestinal and bacterial protein coated filters at room temperature for 1 hour. To demonstrate that all UCG and E. coli-reactive antibody had been removed from the MGIS antiserum preparation, the MGIS antiserum subjected to Western blot analysis which showed that the absorbed antibody had no reactivity to either the cat intestinal proteins or to the bacterial extract.

Immune Screening of T. gondii cDNA Phage Library

The ICG cDNA library was constructed from infected cat intestinal mRNA, and the cDNA product cloned into the EcoRI/XhoI sites of the Uni-Zap XR vector. Toxoplasma-specific nucleic acid molecules represented approximately 10% of the library. The ICG cDNA phage library was plated to approximately 2–5×10^(c4-5) pfu per 135 mm plates with XL-1Blue MRF′ cells (available from Stratagene). Ten plates were treated in the following manner after the phage were pinhead in size. Nitrocellulose filters that had been previously treated with IPTG were overlaid on top of the phage and incubated at 37° C. for 5 hours. The filters were marked, washed with TBS, pH 8.0, blocked with 4% milk in TBS, and incubated with MGIS antiserum at room temperature overnight. After washing three times with TBS, horse-radish peroxidase (HRP)-labeled goat anti-cat IgA antibody (Bethyl Lab. Inc.) was diluted 1:350, and incubated with the filters at room temperature for 2 hours. The color indicator was developed with 4-chloro-1-naphthol substrate and H₂O₂. Forty-one positive clones were selected for further screening.

Hybridization Screening and Clone Purification

Selected clones were replated on NZYM plates, and forty-eight individual plaques randomly picked and resuspended in 100 ul of SM buffer. Insert DNAs were PCR amplified in a final volume of 12.5 ul containing 1 ul of template DNA, 50 mM KCL, 10 mM Tris-HCL (pH 8.3), 2 mM MgCl₂, 0.2 mM each dNTP, 0.2 mM each of T3 and T7 vector specific oligonucleotide primers, and 0.3 units of Taq polymerase. Amplification was performed by 1 cycle of 95° C. for 3 min., 35 cycles of 95° C. for 30 sec., 50° C. for 30 sec., and 72° C. for 2 min., followed by 75° C. for 5 min. on a Perkin Elmer 9600 thermocycler. The PCR amplified products were analyzed on a 1% agarose TBE gel, and the DNA transferred to a nylon membrane.

A hundred nanograms of T. gondii genomic DNA was labeled using the Megaprime DNA labeling systems (available from Amersham International) and used as a probe to analyze the PCR amplified DNA fragments on the nylon membrane. The membrane was pre-hybridized in 5×SSPE (1×SSPE: 0.18M NaCl, 10 mM NaH₂PO₄, and 1 mM EDTA pH 7.7), 0.5% SDS, 5× Denhardt's solution, and 0.1 mg/ml single stranded salmon sperm DNA at 65° C. for 3 hours. Membranes were then hybridized overnight at 65° C., and then washed with 2×SSPE, 0.1% SDS at room temperature for 10 min., twice, and 0.2×SSPE, 0.5% SDS at 65° C. for 1 hour, twice. The membrane was exposed to film at −70° C. overnight. Twenty-three clones were thus shown to contain T. gondii-specific DNA, with an insert size of 1–2 Kb in length.

Clone Identification by Phage Drop Test

Each of the twenty-three T. gondii-specific clones were rescreened to confirm reactivity with MGIS antiserum. Phage clones were diluted 1:10e7 from the SM buffer stock, and 3 ul of this dilution (˜5–50 phage) was spotted onto a NZYM/XL-1Blue MRF′ agar plate, and incubated at 37° C. for 5 hours. Afterwards, an IPTG pre-treated nitrocellulose filter was overlaid onto the agar surface and incubated for another 5 hours. The filter was marked, washed with TBS buffer (pH 8.0) at room temperature for 15 minutes, and blocked with 4% milk in PBS for 30 minutes. Pre-absorbed MGIS antiserum was added to the filter and allowed to react at room temperature overnight. The filter was subsequently washed in TBS at room temperature for 10 minutes, three times. Goat anti-cat IgA polyclonal antibody labeled with HRP (available from Bethyl Laboratories, Inc.) was diluted 1:300 in TBS buffer and incubated with the filter at room temperature for 2 hours. The filter was washed and developed using 4-chloro-1-naphthol substrate and H₂O₂. Thirteen of the 23 clones were identified as positive for expressing antigen recognized by IgA in the MGIS antiserum.

DNA Sequencing

The DNA inserts in the thirteen clones identified as positive were subcloned into the TA vector using the TA cloning kit (available from Invitrogen). Individual clones were PCR amplified using the T3 and T7 vector-specific primers. The DNA fragments produced by PCR amplification were gel electrophoresed on a 1% agarose gel, and gel purified using a Qiagen Gel Purification kit (available from Qiagen). Plasmid DNA was purified using the 5 prime 3 prime Perfect Plasmid DNA Preparation kit (available from 5 Prime 3 Prime Inc., Boulder, Colo.). DNA sequencing was carried out on six of the T. gondii-specific DNA inserts using a Prizm dideoxy termination kit (available from Perkin Elmer) on an ABI 377 DNA sequencer (available from Applied Biosystems). TA sense and TA antisense oligonucleotide primers were used for DNA sequencing, and insert-specific oligonucleotide primers were used to generate internal fragment sequences. The only variation from this general protocol was in the case of MGIS4-4, where the Erase a Base system (available from Promega) was used to generate plasmids containing deleted fragments in order to facilitate sequencing. The primers used for sequencing each of the inserts were the following:

The primers used in sequencing MGIS4-2 are herein referred to as SEQ ID NO:275, SEQ ID NO:276, SEQ ID NO:277, SEQ ID NO:278, SEQ ID NO:279, SEQ ID NO:280, and SEQ ID NO:281. The primers used in sequencing MGIS4-4 are herein referred to as SEQ ID NO:285, SEQ ID NO:286, SEQ ID NO:287, SEQ ID NO:288, SEQ ID NO:289, SEQ ID NO:290, and SEQ ID NO:291. The primers used in sequencing MGIS4-8 are herein referred to as SEQ ID NO:295, SEQ ID NO:296, SEQ ID NO:297, SEQ ID NO:298, SEQ ID NO:209, SEQ ID NO:300, SEQ ID NO:301, SEQ ID NO:302, SEQ ID NO:303, SEQ ID NO:304, and SEQ ID NO:305. The primers used in sequencing MGIS6-5 are herein referred to as SEQ ID NO:309 and SEQ ID NO:310. The primers used in sequencing MGIS6-2 are herein referred to as SEQ ID NO:314, SEQ ID NO:315, SEQ ID NO:316, SEQ ID NO:317, SEQ ID NO:318, SEQ ID NO:319, SEQ ID NO:320, SEQ ID NO:321, SEQ ID NO:322, SEQ ID NO:323, SEQ ID NO:324, and SEQ ID NO:325. And the primers used in sequencing MGIS1-3 are herein referred to as SEQ ID NO:314, SEQ ID NO:315, SEQ ID NO:316, SEQ ID NO:317, SEQ ID NO:318, SEQ ID NO:319, SEQ ID NO:320, SEQ ID NO:321, SEQ ID NO:322, SEQ ID NO:323, SEQ ID NO:324, and SEQ ID NO:325 (note that the same primers were used for sequencing MGIS6-2 and MGIS1-3).

PCR Amplification of Feline and T. gondii DNA with Clone-specific Primers

The IgA selected MGIS clones were shown to be Toxoplasma specific by PCR amplification analysis. The following different cDNA samples were tested for the presence of DNA representing each of the six different IgA-selected nucleic acid molecules: a) uninfected cat gut (UCG); b) infected cat gut (ICG); c) T. gondii tachyzoite (TgTz); d) Toxoplasma bradyzoite (TgBz); and e) Toxoplasma genomic DNA (TgTz DNA). The preparation of UCG, ICG, Toxoplasma tachyzoite and bradyzoite cDNA was as described above. Toxoplasma genomic DNA was isolated from tachyzoites by phenol/chloroform/isoamylalcohol pH 8.0 extraction. Oligonucleotide sense and anti-sense primers specific to each of five MGIS-selected nucleic acid molecules were synthesized and used as primers in the PCR amplification reactions. The reaction condition were: 95° C. for 10 min., followed by 35 cycles of 95° C. for 30 sec., 58° C. for 30 sec., 72° C. for 40 sec; this was followed by 75° C. for 5 min. afterwards to complete the reaction. The amount of the different templates used in the PCR reactions (˜3–30 ng of DNA), was empirically determined by comparison with a PCR amplified Toxoplasma tubulin gene product standard generated with each template. The oligonucleotide primers and the size of the expected products are listed in Table 13, below.

TABLE 13 MGIS Sense Primer Anti-Sense Primer Product Clone Position: Sequence Position: Sequence Size (bp) 1-3 1513: SEQ ID NO: 319 1858: SEQ ID NO: 320 346 4-2 168: SEQ ID NO: 276 594: SEQ ID NO: 279 427 4-4 455: SEQ ID NO: 285 775: SEQ ID NO: 290 331 4-8 2018: SEQ ID NO: 300 2310: SEQ ID NO: 301 293 6-2 1301: SEQ ID NO: 319 1646: SEQ ID NO: 320 346 The oligonucleotide primers specific for each of the five MGIS-selected nucleic acid molecules PCR amplified products only when the template DNA contained Toxoplasma DNA. There were no PCR amplified products in this assay when the template DNA was UCG cDNA. These results confirm the T. gondii origin of the MGIS-selected nucleic acid molecules.

Sequence Analysis

Homology searches of a non-redundant protein database were performed on all six MGIS-selected nucleic acid molecules, translated into all six reading frames, using the BLASTX program available through the BLAST™ network of the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) (National Library of Medicine, National Institute of Health, Baltimore, Md.). This database includes SwissProt+PIR+SPupdate+GenPept+GPUpdate+PDB databases. In addition, BLASTN homology searches were performed on these sequences using the NCBI databases including the non-redundant database of GenBank EST, and genembl. In all cases, the default parameters for the homology programs were used.

The highest scoring match of the homology search (BLASTX) of translation products of the nucleic acid sequence SEQ ID NO:282 (MGIS4-2) was to GenBank™ Accession No. prf 2208369A, a Homo sapiens signal peptidase 12 kD subunit protein. The protein encoded by nucleic acid residues 742–945 of MGIS4-2 (SEQ ID NO:282) showed about 44% identity to amino acid residues 12 to 79 of the protein represented by GenBank™ Accession No. prf 2208369A. At the nucleotide level, SEQ ID NO:282 showed 97% identity over 353 nt with te sequence represented by GenBank™ Accession No. W0680 (TgESTzy81e12.r1), an EST fragment isolated from T. gondii tachyzoite cDNA. The homology spans the region from nt 748 to nt 1097 of SEQ ID NO:282, and nt 15 to 365 of GenBank™ Accession No. W0680. There were no other significant homology matches to SEQ ID NO:282 nucleic acid sequence.

The highest scoring matches of the homology search (BLASTX) of translation products of the nucleic acid sequence SEQ ID NO:292 (MGIS4-4) were to proteins described as elongation factor 1-gamma, with the highest match to the sequence represented by GenBank™ Accession No. gi 2160158, described as “a protein similar to elongation factor” The protein encoded by residues 47–1222 of SEQ ID NO:292 showed about 37% identity to amino acid residues 5–414 of the protein represented by GenBank™ Accession No. gi 2160158. At the nucleotide level SEQ ID NO:292 showed 94% identity over 413 nt with an EST fragment, GenBank™ Accession No. N81326 (TgESTzy40a12.r1), an EST fragment isolated from T. gondii cDNA. The homology spans the region from nt 420 to nt 832 of SEQ ID NO:292, and nt 15 to 427 of GenBank™ Accession No. N81326. In addition, SEQ ID NO:292 showed 99% identity over 187 nt with an EST fragment, GenBank™ Accession No. W05869 (TgESTzy85a09.r1), an EST fragment isolated from T. gondii cDNA clone. The homology spans the region from nt 757 to nt 943 of SEQ ID NO:292, and nt 62 to 248 of GenBank™ Accession No. WO5869.

The highest scoring match of the homology search (BLASTX in the genembl database) of translation products of the nucleic acid sequence SEQ ID NO:329 (MGIS1-3) was to Herpesvirus Saimiri complete genome, represented by GenBank™ Accession No. X64346. The amino acid residues 777 to 1432 of the protein encoded by reading frame+2 of SEQ ID NO:329 showed about 36% identity to amino acid residues 106974 to 106517 of the protein represented by GenBank™ Accession No. X64346. At the nucleotide level, SEQ ID NO:329 showed 94% identity over 578 nt with an EST fragment, GenBank™ Accession No. AA520348 (TgESTzz69d04.r1), an EST fragment isolated from T. gondii bradyzoite cDNA. The homology spans the region from nt 1334 to 1910 of SEQ ID NO:329, and nt 5 to 571 of GenBank™ Accession No. AA520348.

The highest scoring match of the homology search (BLASTN of the non-redundant databases, GenBank+EMBL+DDBJ+PDB) of SEQ ID NO:311 (MGIS6-5) was to a T. gondii lactate dehydrogenase gene, represented by GenBank™ Accession No. TGU35118. SEQ ID NO:311 showed 99% identity over 1619 nt.

The highest scoring match of the homology search (BLASTX in the genembl database) of translation products of the nucleic acid sequence SEQ ID NO:326 (MGIS6-2) was to Herpesvirus Saimiri complete genome, represented by GenBank™ Accession No. X64346. Amino acid residues 751 to 1206 encoded by SEQ ID NO:326 showed about 36% identity to amino acid residues 106972 to 106517 of the protein represented by GenBank™ Accession No. X64346. At the nucleotide level, SEQ ID NO:326 showed 96% identity over 247 nucleotides with an EST fragment, GenBank™ Accession No. AA520348 (TgESTzz69d04.r1), an EST fragment isolated from T. gondii bradyzoite cDNA. The homology spans the region from nt 890 to 1136 of SEQ ID NO:326, and nt 144 to 390 of GenBank™ Accession No. AA520348.

The highest scoring match of the homology search (BLASTX of the non-redundant GenBank CDS database including

Translations+PDB+SwissProt+SPupdate+PIR) of translation products of the nucleic acid sequence SEQ ID NO:306 (MGIS4-8) was to a rice 26S protease regulatory subunit 4 homolog (TAT-binding protein homolog 2), represented by GenBank™ Accession No. P46466. 26S protease regulatory subunit 4 homologs representing other species also have high homology to a translation product of SEQ ID NO:306. The protein encoded by nucleic acid residues 465 to 1565 of SEQ ID NO:306 showed about 72% identity to amino acid residues 35 to 448 of the protein represented by GenBank™ Accession No. X64346. It should be noted a gap of 42 amino acids was required in the amino acid sequence encoded by SEQ ID NO:306 in order to achieve the sequence fit resulting in this high homology. At the nucleotide level, SEQ ID NO:306 showed 98% identity over 269 nucleotides with an EST fragment, GenBank™ Accession No. W35531 (TgESTzy90g01.r1), an EST fragment isolated from T. gondii cDNA. The homology spans the region from nt 668 to nt 936 of SEQ ID NO:326, and nt 23 to nt 291 of GenBank™ Accession No. W35531.

Example 16

This Example discloses the isolation and sequence analysis of a 1397 bp T. gondii nucleic acid molecule composed of four fragments isolated by subtractive selection from an infected cat gut cDNA library. Also described is an additional nucleic acid molecule representing the genomic DNA sequence immediately upstream (5′) of, and overlapping, the genomic DNA sequence encoding the cDNA sequence.

A 1397 bp T. gondii nucleic acid molecule, denoted nTG₁₃₉₇ (the coding strand of which is herein referred to as SEQ ID NO:343, and the reverse complement of which is herein referred to as SEQ ID NO:345), is a composite of four overlapping PCR amplified products isolated from an infected cat gut (ICG) cDNA library. Specifically, a first 424 bp fragment (representing nucleotide positions 709–1132 of SEQ ID NO:343), was isolated after two rounds of selection using the PCR-Select™ Subtraction kit (available from Clontech, Palo Alto, Calif.), using day eight, RsaI restriction enzyme digested ICG cDNA as tester, and similarly digested uninfected cat gut cDNA as driver DNA. Fragments enriched by the PCR-Select™ Subtraction selection process were digested with the restriction enzyme SmaI and cloned into SmaI site in the commercially available positive selection vector, QuanTox™ (available from Quantum Biotechnologies Inc., Laval, Quebec, Canada). The cloned inserts were subsequently sequenced using the oligonucleotide primers, T7 (TAATACGACTCACTATAGGG, herein referred to as SEQ ID NO:348) and T3 (ATTAACCCTCACTAAAGGGA, herein referred to as SEQ ID NO:347). A 424 bp T. gondii nucleic acid molecule, referred to herein as nTG₄₂₄, was isolated, cloned and sequenced by this method.

The orientation of nTG₄₂₄, as well as additional nucleic acid sequence representing cDNA sequence occurring downstream (3′) of nTG₄₂₄ was determined as follows. A 689 bp fragment including the 3′-end of the gene comprising nTG₄₂₄ was generated by PCR amplification of an ICG cDNA library constructed in the Uni-Zap XR insertion vector (available from Stratagene). The two primers used for this amplification reaction are represented by SEQ ID NO:358 (⁷⁰⁹ACAACGACCACGACATCAACTAC⁷³¹, derived from the sequence of nTG₄₂₄, also referred to as pRay8), and an adaptor oligonucleotide primer that hybridized to the cDNA poly A tail (GGCCACGCGTCGACTACT₁₇ from BRL/GIBCO, Gaithersburg, Md., herein referred to as SEQ ID NO:364). The superscript numbers at the beginning and end of the primer sequences described herein represent the location of the primer sequence relative to nTG₁₃₉₇ (SEQ ID NO:343). A resulting 689 bp T. gondii nucleic acid molecule (also referred to as nTG₆₈₉) was cloned into PCR2.1 (available from Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.), and sequenced using the M13 reverse oligonucleotide primers (CAGGAAACAGCTATGACC, herein referred to as SEQ ID NO:346) and the T7 oligonucleotide primer (SEQ ID NO:348). The sequence of nTG₆₈₉ revealed 266 bp of additional cDNA sequence (from 1133–1397 bp, relative to SEQ ID NO:343), with an overlap with nTG₄₂₄ from 709–1132 bp (relative to SEQ ID NO:343). There were three nucleotide differences between the sequence data for nTG₄₂₄ and the sequence data for nTG₆₈₉. Instead of a “T”, “C” and “T” nucleotide at positions 1159, 1166, and 1169 respectively, the sequence data for nTG₆₈₉ revealed a “C”, “T”, and “A” at those positions.

The remainder of the nucleic acid sequence of nTG₁₃₉₇ was determined in two PCR amplification steps using the ICG cDNA library as the template. The primers for the first PCR amplification were: a) an anti-sense oligonucleotide primer specific for nTG₄₂₄, having the sequence ⁹²⁹GTTGTCGTAGATGTCGTTGTAGTT⁹⁰⁶, and herein referred to as SEQ ID NO:359; and b) a Uni-Zap XR insertion vector-specific oligonucleotide primer (available from Stratagene, and referred to as Tp277) having the sequence, GGGAACAAAAGCTGGAGCTCCACC, and herein referred to as SEQ ID NO:354. In the first PCR amplification step, SEQ ID NO:359 and SEQ ID NO:354 were used to generate an 884 bp nucleic acid molecule, (825 bp of which was nTG₁₃₉₇-specific DNA sequence), that was then cloned into PCR2.1. The T. gondii-specific nucleic acid molecule is herein referred to as nTG₈₂₅. nTG₈₂₅ was sequenced using a TA sense oligonucleotide primer (having the sequence, CGAGCTCGGATCCACTAG, herein referred to as SEQ ID NO:350), and a TA anti-sense oligonucleotide primer (having the sequence, GCCAGTGTGATGGATATCTGCAG, herein referred to as SEQ ID NO:349), as well as a nTG₁₃₉₇-specific internal oligonucleotide primer having the sequence, ⁵⁶⁴GAGGAGATCGAACTTTGCTTGTGC⁵⁴¹, herein referred to as SEQ ID NO:361. Sequencing revealed that nTG₈₂₅ added an additional 604 bp to the sequence of nTG₁₃₉₇, from nucleotides 105–708 (relative to SEQ ID NO:343). nTG₈₂₅ overlapped with nTG₄₂₄ and nTG₆₈₉ from base 709–939 (relative to SEQ ID NO:343).

The primers for the second PCR amplification step were: a) an oligonucleotide primer specific for nTG₄₂₄, having the sequence ²²⁵AGAAGCGCCTTTGCGTTTCTACGT²⁰², herein referred to as SEQ ID NO:360; and b) Tp277. These two primers were used to generate a 225 bp T. gondii DNA fragment, referred to as nTG₂₂₅. nTG₂₂₅ cloned into PCR2.1, and nucleotide sequenced with the TA oligonucleotide primers as above, thereby generating the sequence from nucleotides 1–104 of SEQ ID NO:343. Sequence analysis revealed that nTG₂₂₅ overlapped with previously isolated nTG₈₂₅ DNA sequence from base 105–225, relative to SEQ ID NO:343.

The contiguous cDNA sequence of the overlapping fragments representing nTG₁₃₉₇ was determined (and referred to herein as SEQ ID NO:343), and sequence analysis of the composite molecule revealed an 867 bp coding region (referred to as nTG₈₆₇), assuming an initiation codon at position 238–240, and a stop codon at position 1102–1104 (relative to SEQ ID NO: 343). The coding strand of nTG867 is herein referred to as SEQ ID NO:340, and the reverse complement is herein referred to as SEQ ID NO:342. Translation of the coding region of nTG₈₆₇ yields a 288 amino acid protein herein referred to as PTg₂₈₈, the amino acid sequence of which is herein referred to as SEQ ID NO:341.

To confirm the DNA sequence in the predicted coding region of nTG₁₃₉₇, a PCR amplified fragment containing nucleotides 238 to 1271 was generated using an oligonucleotide primer having the sequence, AAGGATAGGCGGCCGCAGGTACC ²³⁸ATGGCAGGAAGGCAGGCGGCGTT²⁶⁰, herein referred to as SEQ ID NO:362, and an oligonucleotide primer having the sequence, ACCGCTCGAGAAGCTT ¹²⁷¹GAAGCCAAGACATCCCTTCGTGCA¹²⁴⁸, herein referred to as SEQ ID NO:363. The nucleotides in italics represent non-nTG₁₃₉₇ nucleotide sequence, and were present to attach convenient restriction sites to the PCR product. The resulting PCR fragment was cloned into a eukaryotic expression vector, referred to as pDVacIII, and sequenced using two vector-specific oligonucleotide primers: a) Tp244, having the sequence, GGATGCAATGAAGAGAGGGCTC, and herein referred to as SEQ ID NO:352; and b) Tp245, having the sequence, AACTAGAAGGCACAGTCGAGGCTG, and herein referred to as SEQ ID NO:353. The PCR fragment thus generated contained two nucleotide differences as compared with the previously determined cDNA sequence of nTG₁₃₉₇. Instead of an “A” at position 643, a “G” residue was found, and in place of a “T” at position 1187, a “C” residue was found. The resulting nucleotide change at position 643 altered the predicted encoded amino acid from an arginine to a glycine residue. The change at position 1187 did not change the predicted amino acid sequence of nTG₁₃₉₇.

Genomic DNA sequence upstream of the gene comprising nTG₁₃₉₇ was determined by generating a 747 bp fragment by PCR amplification of the λ-EMBL-3 Sau3A partial Toxoplasma genomic library herein described. The primers used were SEQ ID NO:360 (representing nucleotides 202–225 in nTG₁₃₉₇) and a λ-EMBL-3-specific primer having the sequence, GGTTCTCTCCAGAGGTTCATTAC, and herein referred to as SEQ ID NO:351. The resulting DNA fragment was cloned in PCR2.1 and sequenced with TA oligonucleotide primers (SEQ ID NO:349, and SEQ ID NO:350) and two gene specific oligonucleotide primers, Tp310 (³⁶⁵CGGACGTTGCATGTCAGTGGACA³⁴³, herein referred to as SEQ ID NO:355) and Tp311 (²⁴³CACGAAGCTGCATGTTCCAGCTAG²⁶⁵, herein referred to as SEQ ID NO:356). The sequence of the PCR fragment revealed a 647 bp DNA fragment, nTG₆₄₇, (herein referred to as SEQ ID NO:338, the reverse complement is herein referred to as SEQ ID NO:339) including 421 nucleotides of new genomic DNA sequence upstream of the 5′ end of the cDNA sequence of Tg₁₃₉₇. The fragment contained 327 bp of genomic DNA sequence that overlapped with the cDNA sequence, SEQ ID NO:343 (in other words, bases 422–647 of the genomic DNA sequence, SEQ ID NO:338, overlap with bases 1–225 of the cDNA sequence, SEQ ID NO:343). There was a single nucleotide difference between the genomic and the cDNA sequences at position 118 of the cDNA sequence (SEQ ID NO:343), where there is a “G” in the genomic DNA sequence and an “A” at the equivalent position in the cDNA sequence.

SEQ ID NO:343 was shown to be T. gondii specific by PCR amplification analysis of various DNAs, using nTG₁₃₉₇-specific DNA primers to drive the reaction. The following cDNA samples were tested for the presence of nTG₁₃₉₇ DNA: a) uninfected cat gut (UCG), b) infected cat gut (ICG), c) T. gondii tachyzoite (TgTz), and d) Toxoplasma bradyzoite (TgBz). To generate UCG and ICG RNA, gut tissue samples from an uninfected cat and a cat 7 days post infection with T. gondii tissue cysts (1000 cysts) were processed by scraping and collecting the epithelial layer of gut cells on dry ice. Cells from UCG, ICG, and T. gondii tachyzoites and bradyzoites were solubilized by homogenization in TRI-reagent (available from Molecular Research Center Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio), and the homogenate passed through a 18/20/and 22 gauge needle 10 times each sequentially. After standing at room temperature for 5 min., 100 ul of bromochloropropane (available from Molecular Research Center Inc.)/ml of TRI reagent was added, and the homogenate vortexed for 15 seconds. The sample was centrifuged at 14,000 rpm for 15 min. at 4° C., the aqueous layer collected, and RNA precipitated with one half volume of isopropanol. Contaminating genomic DNA was removed by digestion with 10 units of RNase free DNaseI (available from Boehringer Mannheim Corp.) at 37° C. for 30 min. The sample was then extracted with phenol/chloroform/isoamylalcohol, pH 6.0. The RNA was precipitated from the aqueous layer with ethanol and resuspended in diethylpyrocarbonate (available from Sigma) treated water. cDNA was generated from total RNA using a commercially available RT-PCR kit (available from Stratagene).

Two nTG₁₃₉₇-specific oligonucleotide primers were used in the reaction: SEQ ID NO:358, having the sequence, ⁷⁰⁹ACAACGACCACGACATCAACTAC⁷³¹, and SEQ ID NO:357, having the sequence, ¹¹¹⁴ACACTTTGGTCTAATCGAGGGTAG¹⁰⁹¹. The reaction conditions were: 95° C. 12 min., followed by 3 cycles of 94° C. 30 sec., 70° C. 30 sec., 72° C. 60 sec., 3 cycles of 94° C. 30 sec., 67° C. 30 sec., 72° C. 60 sec., 3 cycles of 94° C. 30 sec., 65° C. 30 sec., 72° C. 60 sec., 6 cycles of 94° C. 30 sec., 63° C. 30 sec., 72° C. 60 sec., 25 cycles of 94° C. 30 sec., 59° C. 30 sec., 72° C. 60 sec., and a seven minute extension at 75° C. to complete the reaction. The amount of template used in each PCR reaction (˜3–30 ng of DNA), was empirically determined by comparison with a PCR amplified Toxoplasma tubulin gene product standard generated with each template. The PCR amplification reaction generated a 406 bp product only in the reactions containing tachyzoite and ICG cDNA template DNA, thereby confirming the T. gondii-specificity of SEQ ID NO:343.

Sequence Analysis

Homology searches of a non-redundant protein database were performed on SEQ ID NO:340 (representing the coding region of nTG₁₃₉₇, translated in frame 1, using the BLASTP program available through the BLAST™ network of the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) (National Library of Medicine, National Institute of Health, Baltimore, Md.). This database searched was PIR. In addition, a BLASTP homology search was performed on SEQ ID NO:341 (representing the amino acid sequence encoded by SEQ ID NO:340) using the NCBI database SwissProt. In all cases, the default parameters for the homology programs were used. Another homology search was run on SEQ ID NO:343 using the BLASTN search program and the database genembl.

When run against the PIR database, the highest scoring match of the homology search of translation products of the nucleic acid sequence SEQ ID NO:340 (the coding strand of the coding sequence) was to GenBank™ accession number A60095, a Drosophila larval glue protein precursor. Other significant homologies included homology to an African clawed frog mucin, and a promastigote surface antigen-2. When analyzed by the GCG program, using BESTFIT and default parameters, amino acid residues 145 to 281 of the protein encoded by SEQ ID NO:340 showed about 70% identity to amino acid residues 42 to 178 of the protein represented by GenBank™ accession number A60095. In addition, amino acid residues 153 to 282 of the protein encoded by SEQ ID NO:340 showed about 73% identity to amino acid residues 394 to 523 of the protein represented by GenBank™ accession number A45155 (African clawed frog mucin). When compared with the SwissProt database, the highest scoring match of the homology search of the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:341 (the protein encoded by SEQ ID NO:340) was to GenBank™ accession number Q05049, the African clawed frog mucin. These two amino acid sequences showed a 73% identity from amino acid 153 to 282 of SEQ ID NO:341 and amino acid 394 10 523 of the amino acid sequence represented by GenBank™ accession number Q05049. A comparison of SEQ ID NO:343 (the cDNA coding strand) using the BLASTN search program and the database genembl revealed a 76% nucleic acid sequence identity to a D. discoideum protein kinase, GenBank™ accession number M38703. This identity was between nt 765 to 1058 of SEQ ID NO:343 and nt 772 to 1065 of the sequence represented by GenBank™ accession number M38703. In addition, a BLASTN comparison SEQ ID NO:343 with the non-redundant GenBank™ database including GenBank EMBL+DDBJ+PDB revealed an 89% identity between nucleic acid residues 779 to 902 of SEQ ID NO:343 and nt 2150 to nt 2273 of the nucleic acid sequence represented by GenBank™ accession number DDDU86962.

Example 17

This example describes the induction of humoral and cellular responses in cats by proteins expressed by the T. gondii nucleic acid molecules of the present invention. Protein immunization with T. gondii recombinant protein and several different adjuvants induced both antibodies and T cell proliferative responses in cats. DNA immunization of cats with plasmid constructs expressing T. gondii immunogenic proteins of the present invention also induced antibody responses.

Protein Immunization

Protein immunization of cats was carried out with three primary subcutaneous immunizations at intervals of four weeks (prime at week 0 and boosts at weeks 4 and 8) using 50 μg protein per injection in adjuvant. The primary antigen was OC-22, which was purified as a HIS fusion protein from E. coli. The experimental groups were as follows: two cats were immunized with OC-22 protein in alum, two cats were immunized with OC-22 protein in polyphosphazine (PCPP), and two cats were immunized with OC-22 protein in BAYER1005 (Stunkel, K. G., et al., in Cellular Basis of Immune Modulation, 1989, pp. 575–579, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety). One cat was injected with two different antigens in BAYER1005: 50 ug of OC-22 and 12 ug of protein 4499-9. One control cat was injected with saline.

Whole blood was collected from all of the animals at intervals before and after the immunizations. Mononuclear cells were selected from the blood for T cell proliferation analysis (see blow) and the remaining plasma processed for detection of humoral responses. The presence of antibody was determined by western blot analysis and by ELISA using recombinant purified antigens. The western blot analysis was more sensitive at detecting a positive or negative response, while the ELISA provided a more quantitative comparison of the cat's responses to the immunogenic proteins.

Western blot analysis was performed on Recombinant purified OC-22 protein was loaded at 2 μg per lane and blotted to nitrocellulose. Samples were from pre-immune cats and cats at 1, 3, and 5 weeks after immunization. Recombinant purified OC-22 protein was loaded at 2 μg per lane and blotted to nitrocellulose. Analysis of the sera collected at three weeks following the first immunization demonstrated that all seven cats responded positively to OC-22 protein. Both anti-cat IgG and anti-cat IgA were used as secondary antibodies (on separate blots). The westerns showed that OC-22 protein elicited both IgA and IgG responses, although the IgA response was not as strong as the IgG response. The ELISA titers were monitored throughout the immunization regimen. The sera collected at week eight and a half, immediately following the second boost had detectable ELISA titers equal to or greater than 1:10,000 for all seven cats. These analyses did not demonstrate any apparent differences between the cats immunized with different adjuvants. The single cat immunized with 12 ug of 4499-9 protein was not positive to 4499-9 protein by either western blot analysis or ELISA, although the same cat demonstrated immune responses to OC-22 that were comparable to the other cats in the study.

Cellular responses to the recombinant T. gondii OC-22 protein were tested by in vitro proliferation of isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) to purified protein at concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 8 μg /ml. At higher concentrations of protein, non-specific stimulation was evident, making interpretation difficult, but at lower concentrations of antigen, distinct differences were seen between cats. One week after the first boost, T cells from all of the cats in either the PCPP or BAY R1005 adjuvant groups demonstrated stimulation indices (SI) greater than 3. Cells from the PBS control and two alum group cats did not show any proliferative responses. Peak proliferative responses were seen one week after each boost, with the highest responses observed after the first boost. The cats immunized with protein in PCPP had the highest responses, followed by the cats immunized with protein in BAY R1005. The responses observed at 0.5 μg antigen per ml were lower than the responses observed at higher doses, but correlated well with the results observed at 2 ug/ml (data not shown). All of the immunized cats responded to antigen, at some point during the experiment, with an SI level above 3.

DNA Immunization

Cats were immunized with the recombinant eukaryotic expression vector, pDVac II, encoding T. gondii nucleic acid molecules encoding the immunogenic proteins OC-2, OC-22, and Tg-50. The pDVacII vector contains the CMV promoter and intron A sequences. The protein expressed by this vector includes the T. gondii antigen of interest, fused at the 5 prime end to the tissue plasminogen activator signal sequence and fused at the three prime end with both a stretch of poly histidines and an amino acid epitope from the mammalian myc gene. Fifteen cats were divided into four experimental groups: three cats received saline (cats 1, 8, and 16), four cats received DNA encoding OC-2 (cats 2, 5, 9, and 15), four cats received DNA encoding OC-22 (cats 3, 6, 10, and 12), and four cats received a combination of DNA encoding OC-2, OC-22, and Tg-50 (cats 4, 7, 13, and 14). Each cat was injected intramuscularly with a total 300 ug of DNA at two sites per immunization. The combined formulation included 300 ug of each plasmid per injection. The cats were given one injection and then at eight weeks received a boost.

The serum samples collected at six weeks after the primary immunization were analyzed. Two out of eight cats immunized with OC-2 DNA were shown to sero convert to antibody positive to OC-2 protein by western blot analysis. None of the sera collected at this time from the cats immunized with OC-22 or Tg-50 DNA were positive by western blot analysis to OC-22 or Tg-50 protein respectively. When sera collected one week following the boost (week 9) were analyzed by western blots, seven of eight cats immunized with OC-2 were positive to OC-2, six of eight cats immunized with OC-22 were positive to OC-22, and one of four cats immunized with Tg-50 were positive to Tg-50. Similar to the western blot analysis for the protein immunogenicity study described above, faint IgA responses from all of the OC-22 sero-positive animals could be observed. ELISA analysis of sera taken one week after the boost indicated that four out of eight cats immunized with OC-2 and four of eight cats immunized with OC-22 had midpoint titers greater then 1:1000.

The T cell analysis demonstrated positive proliferative responses to several antigens, however the data were difficult to interpret. Cells isolated from two cats immunized with the OC-22 gene and one cat immunized with the OC-2 gene each demonstrated significant SI responses. However, the same cells from each of these cats were also stimulated by the other recombinant antigen; i.e. cells from OC-22-injected cats responded to OC-2 protein and cells from OC-2-injected cats responded to OC-22 protein. Sera from these animals did not react with the poly histidine or myc fusions on other control fusion proteins. This inability to demonstrate strong proliferative responses in PBMC is consistent with other results observed while exploring the induction of proliferative responses in T cells from DNA immunized cats. Cat peripheral blood is a poor source of responsive T cells.

Analysis of Oocyst Shedding in Protein an DNA immunized Cats:

Analysis of oocysts shed following tissue cyst challenge of cats in both the protein and DNA immunogenicity studies showed no significant difference in oocyst shedding between any of the test groups and the control within each study. However, the number of animals in these studies varied between two and four per group, and thus this result is statistically meaningless. However, significant reduction, i.e., greater than several logs of total oocysts, was not observed in this experiment.

Example 18

This example describes immunization of cats with nucleic acid molecules encoding immunogenic T. gondii proteins, and subsequent challenge of the immunized cats.

Immunization Protocol:

The following set of conditions were used for the delivery of DNA-coated gold particles to cats: 1.25 ug of DNA was delivered per shot by Gene Gun (available from Biorad). 1.6 micron gold particles were used in the presence of 0.05 mg/ml PVP (polyvinyl pyrrolidine, 360 kD). The micro-carrier loading quantity was 0.5 mg DNA/cartridge, while the DNA loading ratio was 2.5 ug DNA/mg gold. The animals were anesthetized and shaved at the points of contact with the gun. A total of six shots were delivered to the animal for each immunization: three shots to the inner thigh at 300 psi and three shots to the lower side of the abdomen at 600 psi. The immunization regimen consisted of one prime and two boosts at six week intervals. Tissue cyst challenge was performed two weeks following the second boost. The challenge was with 1000 mouse brain-derived tissue cysts.

The plasmid containing the human growth hormone (hGH) gene was used in the control groups and as a marker in the other groups in all studies. In most control groups, the hGH plasmid was diluted to a concentration similar to that in the test groups. Humoral immune responses to the gene product were measured with an ELISA assay, and cellular responses were measured using hGH protein.

First immunogenicity study: The first immunization was followed by a challenge of 1000 mouse brain derived tissue cysts fourteen weeks later. Sample collection was terminated three weeks after that. There were four groups of five animals per group, as follows: Group 1: Control, hGH (0.125 ug/shot), pDVacIII (1.125 ug/shot) This group received one prime and two boosts, at 0, 6 and 12 weeks, respectively. Group 2: OC-22 in pDVacIII (1.25 ug/shot). This group received one prime and two boosts, at 0, 6 and 12 weeks, respectively. Group 3: hGH (0.125 ug/shot), 9 Toxoplasma nucleic acid molecules OC-2, OC-22, OC-13, OC-14, Tg-41, Tg-45, Tg-50, 4604-3, and 4CQA11 (0.125 ug/shot). This group received one prime and two boosts, at 0, 6 and 12 weeks, respectively. Group 4: hGH (0.125 ug/shot), the same DNA as in Group 3 (9 Toxoplasma nucleic acid molecules), but this group received one prime and one boost, at 6 and 12 weeks, respectively. ELISA analysis for hGH sero conversion using sera collected throughout the study demonstrated that five of five cats in Group 1 were positive (i.e., demonstrated an end point titer >1,000). Three of five animals in Group 3 were sero-positive to hGH. ELISA analysis for sero conversion to OC-22 protein using sera from Group 2 and Group 3 indicated that three of five and zero of five cats were positive respectively. These data suggest that competition from the other plasmids reduced the rate of sero conversion to an individual plasmid. In all cases positive titers did not occur until after the first boost. Specific-T cell proliferative responses using PBMC from animals in each group were not observed. Using the B1 gene-based PCR ELISA herein described, the average number of oocysts shed for each group was: Group 1, 1.03e8; Group 2, 1.11e8; Group 3, 5.79e7 and Group 4, 8.83e7. Statistical analysis of the data indicated no significant difference between the test groups and the control.

Second Immunogenicity Study:

The first immunization for this study was followed by a challenge of 1000 mouse brain derived tissue cysts fourteen weeks later. Sample collection was terminated three weeks after that. There were four groups of five animals per group, and all animals received one prime and two boosts. Group 2 consisted of DNA representing 18 nucleic acid molecules of the present invention. Group 3 represent 14 additional nucleic acid molecules of the present invention. Group 4 was a combination of both of these groups. The specific nucleic acid molecules and concentrations used in the immunizations were as follows: Group 1: Control, hGH (0.083 ug/shot), pDVacIII (1.125 ug/shot). Group 2: hGH (0.070 ug/shot), 18 Toxoplasma nucleic acid molecules (BZ1-2, 4604-2, 4604-62, 4CQA27, 4CQA29, 4CQA21, 4CQA27, 4604-62, Q2-4, R8050-6,Tg50, M2A1, M2A5, M2A7, M2A 11, M2A19, M2A22, M2A29) (0.070 ug/shot). Group 3: hGH (0.083 ug/shot), 14 Toxoplasma nucleic acid molecules (M2A3, M2A21, M2A18, M2A20, M2A24, M2A6, Q2-9, Q2-10, Q2-11, 4604-63, 4604-17, 4604-69, 4604-54, 4CQA19) (0.083 ug/shot). Group 4: hGH (0.040 ug/shot), 32 Toxoplasma nucleic acid molecules (BZ1-2, 4604-2, 4604-62, 4CQA27, 4CQA29, 4CQA21, 4CQA27, 4604-62, Q2-4, R8050-6,Tg-50, M2A1, M2A5, M2A7, M2A11, M2A19, M2A22, M2A29, M2A3, M2A21, M2A18, M2A20, M2A24, M2A6, Q2-9, Q2-10, Q2-11, 4604-63, 4604-17, 4604-69, 4604-54, 4CQA19) (0.040 ug/shot).

The ELISA analysis of antibody to hGH protein demonstrated that two of five, three of five, zero of five, and two of five animals seroconverted in Groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 respectively. Using low amounts of hGH plasmid in the presence of eighteen or thirty-two additional plasmids containing nucleic acid molecules of the present invention still induced sero conversion in several animals per group. This observation suggests that there is not a strict reduction in the production of antibodies when a gene is injected with several other constructs.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and adaptations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. It is to be expressly understood, however, that such modifications and adaptations are within the scope of the present invention, as set forth in the following claims. 

1. An isolated nucleic acid molecule that hybridizes over an at least 18 contiguous nucleotide region of SEQ ID NO:78 under conditions comprising: (1) hybridizing in a solution comprising 2×SSC in the absence of nucleic acid double helix destabilizing compounds, at a temperature of 37° C.; and (2) washing in a solution comprising 1×SSC in the absence of double helix destabilizing compounds, at a temperature of 74° C.
 2. The nucleic acid molecule of claim 1, wherein said nucleic acid molecule comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 95% identical to a nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:78.
 3. The nucleic acid molecule of claim 1, wherein said nucleic acid molecule comprises a nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:78.
 4. The nucleic acid molecule of claim 1, wherein said nucleic acid molecule encodes a protein selected from the group consisting of: (a) a protein comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:79; and (b) variants thereof that are at least 95% identical to an amino acid sequence of (a).
 5. A recombinant molecule comprising a nucleic acid molecule as set forth in claim 1, operatively linked to a transcription control sequence.
 6. A recombinant virus comprising a nucleic acid molecule as set forth in claim
 1. 7. A recombinant cell comprising a nucleic acid molecule as set forth in claim
 1. 8. A composition comprising an isolated nucleic acid molecule of claim 1 and a component selected from the group consisting of an excipient, an adjuvant, and a carrier. 